The Board of Directors of United States Artists (USA), one of the largest grant-donating and support organization for artist working in the fields of visual, performing and literary arts, among other media, in the US, recently announced the appointment of Carolina Garcia Jayaram as its new Chief Executive Officer. USA is a non-profit funding organization that administers the USA Fellows program, which annually distributes awards of up to US$50,000 in unrestricted grants to a diverse range of visual, performing, literary and mixed-media artists in the United States. García-Jayaram will take over her new post at USA on Monday, February 24. Founded in 2005 by the Ford, Rockefeller, Rasmuson and Prudential Foundations with US$22 million to support artists in America, USA is currently funded primarily by a wide range of philanthropic foundations and individuals. In the past five years, USA has raised a US$10 million permanent endowment, and has invested US$17.5 million in the hands of 350 artists with more than 91% of USA grants used to develop innovative art. "In keeping with United States Artists' mission of investing in America's finest artists and illuminating the value of artists to society, we are thrilled to welcome Ms. García-Jayaram to lead our organization," affirmed USA Board Chairman Steven Oliver. "She possesses the perfect blend of vision and determination to ensure that our organization will grow as we continue in our commitment to support a thriving and vibrant cultural community nationwide." "Ms. García-Jayaram has proven herself in Chicago as an innovative arts leader," added arts leader Jack Guthman, who also serves on USA's Board of Directors. "We are delighted that her talents will be available to United States Artists and to artists on a national level." As part of her new job, García-Jayaram will supervise all of USA's activities, including fundraising, marketing, board development, and daily operations. Central elements of her new responsibilities will include leading the evolution in USA to respond to the needs of current artists in ways that advance artistic creation, and to shape the awards program in a manner that improves the public's appreciation of art and artists. "I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to lead United States Artists during this exciting period of expansion," affirmed García-Jayaram. "My experiences in the diverse cultural landscapes of Chicago, Miami and New York will provide a foundation to grow USA into a vital national resource for artists and the communities that support them." Since 2010, García-Jayaram has served as Executive Director of the Chicago Artists Coalition where she has reinvigorated the 40-year-old organization into a vital resource whose mission is to build a sustainable marketplace for entrepreneurial artists and creators. By capitalizing on the intersection of art and enterprise, she has created collaborative partnerships for CAC and other organizations, and has developed innovative opportunities for Chicago's artist community. Her work has earned her the honor of being chosen by The Chicago Tribune as a "Chicagoan of the Year in Arts" for 2013. Before joining CAC, Jayaram was the founder and Executive Director of Cannonball in Miami, Florida, which manages a live/work residency in the Wynwood Arts District for eight national and international artists and curators. Prior to working in Miami, she worked at PEN American Center in New York City, the nation's preeminent association of writers, editors and translators. Jayaram served on the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan Advisory Committee, and serves on the Cannonball board of directors. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from the New School Universi...