Rodney Mims Cook Jr.
Rodney Mims Cook Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the United States Commission of Fine Arts | |
| Assumed office January 22, 2026 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Billie Tsien |
| Member of the United States Commission of Fine Arts | |
| Assumed office January 20, 2026 | |
| Appointed by | Donald Trump |
| In office January 19, 2021 – April 4, 2022 | |
| Appointed by | Donald Trump |
| Succeeded by | Lisa Delplace |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 30, 1956 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Relatives | James D. Robinson III (father-in-law) |
| Education | Washington and Lee University (BS) |
Rodney Mims Cook Jr. (born June 30, 1956) is an American designer who has served as the chair of the United States Commission of Fine Arts since January 2026. Cook has additionally served as a member of the commission since January 2026. He served as a member of the Commission of Fine Arts from 2021 to 2022.
Early life and education
Rodney Mims Cook Jr. was born on June 30, 1956, at Georgia Baptist Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the only son of Bettijo Hogan and Rodney Mims Cook Sr. The elder Cook was a member of the Atlanta Board of Aldermen and the Georgia House of Representatives.[1] The younger Cook was raised in Buckhead.[2] In his youth, Cook assisted his father in his political campaigns.[3] He attended William Franklin Dykes High School;[4] the school closed in 1973, when Cook was a junior. He was the junior class president.[5] Cook studied engineering at Washington and Lee University.[2] As a college freshman, Cook organized an effort to save the Fox Theatre, a building marked for demolition.[6] The effort caught the attention of Charles, Prince of Wales, who visited Atlanta in 1977 and sought to meet Cook. The two developed a friendship after their encounter.[7]
Career
National Monuments Foundation (2003–present)
In 2003, Cook established the National Monuments Foundation.[8]
Vice chair of the Commission on Fine Arts (2021–2022)
In January 2021, president Donald Trump appointed Cook to the United States Commission of Fine Arts.[9] Cook served as its vice chair.[10] In April 2022, the Biden administration requested Cook's resignation. He was succeeded by Lisa Delplace.[11]
Chair of the Commission on Fine Arts (2026–present)
In January 2026, The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration was set to request that former members of the Commission of Fine Arts who had been appointed by Trump in his first term return to the commission.[12] On January 20, Trump appointed Cook to the commission.[13] He was voted the chairman on January 22.[14]
References
- ^ "Cradle Roll". The Atlanta Journal. July 3, 1956. Retrieved March 15, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Murphy, Patricia (February 27, 2026). "Atlantan Rodney Mims Cook is Trump's man for remaking the White House". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ Shannon, Margaret (October 5, 1969). "An Inside Look at the Mayor's Race". The Atlanta Constitution. Retrieved March 15, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Hutchenson, Jua Nyla (January 8, 1973). "Mrs. Cook Works From 'Kin to Caint'". The Atlanta Constitution. Retrieved March 15, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Granum, Rex (May 29, 1973). "Dykes Closing". The Atlanta Constitution. Retrieved March 15, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Joyce, Fay (December 31, 1974). "They Still Picket at The Fox". The Atlanta Constitution. Retrieved March 15, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Suggs, Ernie (May 4, 2023). "A young Atlanta Cook met a prince. Now he is going to a coronation". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on March 8, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ Boyles, Sallie (July 2, 2019). "A Storied Past and Brighter Future". Vie Magazine. Archived from the original on February 9, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ McGlone, Peggy (February 10, 2021). "Biden removes Trump appointees from boards that shape the District". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ Hickman, Matt (May 25, 2021). "Biden administration replaces four members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ Hickman, Matt (April 4, 2022). "Trump appointee Rodney Mims Cook Jr. exits U.S. Commission of Fine Arts". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ Diamond, Dan; Edwards, Jonathan (January 1, 2026). "Trump is reconstituting the Fine Arts panel set to review his ballroom". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ Roche, Daniel (January 20, 2026). "President Trump appoints James McCrery and four others to U.S. Commission of Fine Arts". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ Rosen, Jacob; Farhi, Arden (January 22, 2026). "Judge skeptical of Trump's arguments he has proper authority to build White House ballroom". CBS News. Archived from the original on January 24, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.