Americans for the Arts president and CEO Robert L. Lynch issues the following statement regarding the passing of former National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Frank Hodsoll—the NEA’s fourth chairman who served from 1981 to 1989 under President Ronald Reagan:

“It was my honor and privilege to know Frank Hodsoll for almost 32 years. He was a consummate public servant—one of the smartest, hardest working professionals in Washington, DC. Frank led the NEA in its peak years, yet never settled for ‘good enough’—he kept pushing the boundaries of programs and services to ensure all Americans had access to the arts.

"During his time as Chair, Frank created the NEA’s Local Arts Agencies Program that leveraged hundreds of millions of new local and state appropriations helping advance the growth of the arts in cities all across our country—the benefits of which are still being felt today in cities and towns  everywhere. I know Frank lives on through his legacy and America is better because of him and his dedication to the arts and arts education.”

Frank Hodsoll was a good friend to Americans for the Arts. After his tenure as NEA Chairman, he continued to help the work of Americans for the Arts by serving on our National Arts Policy Roundtable established by Americans for the Arts with Robert Redford.

To his wife, Mimi, and to other family, friends, and former colleagues of Frank, Americans for the Arts extends its deepest condolences, and joins the country in remembering this great man and the lasting legacy he leaves behind.

More detail on Hodsoll’s life can be found in the NEA’s tribute.