Congresswoman Pingree with NEA Chairman Jane Chu at a 2016 event in Portland.
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has selected Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) to succeed late Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) as the Democratic Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Arts Caucus.
“Chellie profoundly understands the power of the arts to revitalize and inspire communities across the nation,” said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. “Serving on the House Appropriations Committee and Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, she has fought relentlessly for robust investments in the arts and in arts education, and has been a fierce champion of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. We are confident that she will bring great passion, vision and joy to this important Caucus.”
“Our beloved Congresswoman Louise Slaughter used the arts to unify and uplift our Congressional community during her 23 years as the Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus,” continued Leader Pelosi. “It is deeply fitting that Congresswoman Chellie Pingree will now assume this important responsibility and honor.”
“I’ve seen how the arts have revitalized communities and energized economic growth across Maine, from mill towns like Waterville to fishing centers like Rockland. It’s helped to increase tourism and attract more young people to settle here. State and federal investments are a big piece of this renaissance,” said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. “I’m honored to be named Democratic Chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus. I hope to build on my friend Congresswoman Slaughter’s more than two decades of advocacy for the arts and engage more Members in the value of supporting the arts.”
Two chairs of the National Endowment for the Arts have visited Maine at Pingree’s invitation to observe real-world examples of how the arts can bring communities together transform local economies.
Since the earliest stages of her career, Pingree has been an advocate for the arts. As the chair of her local schoolboard, Pingree helped to form an “Arts and Enrichment Committee” to support underfunded cultural activities. As a state legislator, she highlighted the work of student artists and successfully advocated for greater state investment in the arts. As a member of the Interior Appropriations subcommittee, Pingree has been a leading supporter of arts funding at a federal level. Last fall, Leader Pelosi named Pingree to a two-year term as an ex-officio member of the National Council on the Arts.
