Erin Scavino, a former contestant on NBC'sThe Apprentice, has been selected by President Donald Trump to lead the State Department's Art in Embassies program, a role that places her at the center of efforts to showcase American culture during the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations. In an exclusive interview at the Art Museum of the Americas, Scavino described her appointment as part of a broader initiative to elevate American art and history ahead of the semiquincentennial.
Scavino, who heard Trump's famous phrase «You're fired!» nearly two decades ago on the reality show, now oversees an office that has operated since 1964, placing American artwork in nearly 190 diplomatic properties worldwide as a form of cultural diplomacy. She said the anniversary provides a unique opportunity to introduce the program to a wider audience. «I was a day one hire by President Trump because, just like we've seen with the Kennedy Center, he wanted to make the performing arts great again, and he also put me at Art in Embassies to make visual arts great,» Scavino said.
The centerpiece of her work is the exhibition «Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy,» opening July 30 at the Art Museum of the Americas in Washington, D.C. The show brings together more than 30 contemporary American artists whose works explore themes of patriotism, diplomacy, military service, immigration, and national identity. Presented in partnership with the American Arts Conservancy, the exhibition will be free to the public through Oct. 18.
Among the featured works is «Gallantly Streaming» by acclaimed artist Barbara Ernst Prey, a sweeping interpretation of the American flag that anchors the exhibition's exploration of national identity. Internationally recognized pop artist Romero Britto also contributes «Liberty for All,» a reimagining of the Statue of Liberty in his signature bold palette, layering vibrant colors against the Stars and Stripes. Scavino described Britto's piece as a celebration of the enduring promise of the American dream.
The exhibition also includes a powerful series of photographs by Korina Marie Moore, whose images capture moments of military service through a deeply personal lens. Rather than focusing solely on combat, Moore's photographs spotlight the men and women who serve — from sailors gathered around a U.S. Navy vessel to service members standing watch as the Statue of Liberty rises across New York Harbor, and the solemnity of Arlington National Cemetery. Visitors will also encounter an America 250 haute couture gown created specifically for the semiquincentennial, inspired by Betsy Ross's flag.
Scavino emphasized that the exhibition is designed to be welcoming to all visitors, regardless of their familiarity with art. «Art has become sort of a gatekeeping situation or something that's only for the rich or the elite,» she said. «I wanted to say, 'Hey, no. We want kids. We want grandparents. We want moms. We want families. We want dads. We want people all over the world to come to this museum because there is something for everyone.'» To make the experience more accessible, each artwork includes QR codes that allow visitors to hear directly from artists about their work and creative process.
Reflecting on her journey from reality television to the State Department, Scavino credited Trump with providing the opportunities that shaped her career. «The common thread throughout all of this is President Trump,» she said. «That's why I always thank him so much for these great opportunities.» She also expressed admiration for the breadth of work at the State Department. «Every time you learn about someone's job, you're actually understanding a whole new universe,» she said. «People often think the State Department is really serious, and yes, of course, there's so much diplomacy and many very serious things going on. But there are so many interesting components, like Art in Embassies.»
Scavino noted that the Art in Embassies program was not created for her but has been a fixture of American diplomacy since 1964 under President Kennedy. She sees the anniversary exhibition as a way to tell stories that are often overlooked. «There are so many stories that are often overlooked,» she said. «We show the diversity of American art and the stories of the people who make it.» The exhibition aims to present a multifaceted view of the American experience, from military service to immigration, through the lens of contemporary artists.
The «Passport to Patriotism» exhibition is part of a series of America 250 initiatives that the Trump administration has promoted, including plans for a towering Independence Arch in Washington, D.C. Scavino's appointment and the exhibition underscore the administration's focus on using cultural institutions to highlight American history and values as the nation approaches its 250th birthday.
