Obama enlisting A-Listers for President's Committee on the Arts

The newly formed committee will work with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to help steer Obama administration's direction when it comes to the arts. On Wednesday, first lady Michelle Obama, serving as honorary chair of the committee is set to host an event that will attempt to draw attention to the President's interest in the arts, as well as give out various awards for excellence, and innovation in artistic areas. The committee will be made up of Hollywood royalty that also includes Alfre Woodard, Edward Norton, and Kerry Washington but will also contain leaders from the business and political world as well. Teresa Heinz Kerry, former presidential candidate, John Kerry's wife will serve on the board as well as Anna Wintour; the Editor in Chief for Vogue magazine. World renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma will also serve on the committee along with several other luminaries from all over the arts, including ballet, and jazz. Several heads of non-profit organizations that benefits the arts have also been included. The full list below: J. Ricky Arriola Madeleine Harris Berman Richard J. Cohen Paula Hannaway Crown Christine Forester Teresa Heinz Kerry Victoria Strauss Kennedy Bryan Lourd Anne Luzzatto Yo-Yo Ma Liz Manne Thom Mayne Edward Norton Sarah Jessica Parker Andy Spahn Jill Cooper Udall Reginald Van Lee Agnes Varis Kerry Washington Alexa L. Wesner Forest Whitaker Anna Wintour Damian Woetzel George C. Wolfe Alfre Woodard