TALLAHASSEE, FL – On March 21, 2003, Senator Jim King appointed Suzanne Teate of Jacksonville to the Florida Arts Council.  Teate will serve a 2-year term effective immediately. 

Suzanne Teate has extensive experience as an arts administrator and has held several leadership positions in the arts.  She formerly served as Director of the Division of Cultural Affairs under Secretary of State Bruce Smathers and, from 1984 to 1988, was a member of the Florida Arts Council. She has worked for numerous cultural institutions throughout Florida, including the Jacksonville Art Museum and the Pensacola Museum of Art.  She holds a PhD in Art History and was a founding member of the Florida Art Museum Directors' Association.

The Florida Arts Council is a 15-member council which advises the Secretary of State on matters pertaining to culture and the arts and recommends funding for cultural grants statewide.  Council members are appointed by the Governor (7 members for 4-year terms), Senate President (4 members for 2-year terms) and Speaker of the House (4 members for 2-year terms).