Office of the Inspector General Semiannual Report to Congress April 1, 2020 - September 30, 2020

During this semiannual reporting period, we issued five audit reports, one risk assessment report, and one investigative report. These reports included $375,688 in questioned costs and 34 recommendations to improve agency operations and award recipient’s stewardship of Federal funds. Through our audit follow-up process, we assisted the National Endowment for the Arts (Arts Endowment) staff and award recipients in clearing 29 recommendations based on corrective actions taken. In addition, we addressed eight new hotline complaints, with one from this period and two from a prior reporting period remaining open. During this reporting period, we also focused internally to improve our operations by updating our Strategic Plan and initiating updates to our website. The website is being updated to make it easier to navigate and to ensure it includes links to the most current awards management resources. The updates to the website are designed to help award recipients comply with requirements and the Arts Endowment improve their programs and operations. The value-added work that my staff accomplished this period is due to their commitment to excellence, continued growth, and dedicated work effort, along with the support of the Arts Endowment Chairman and her staff. I look forward to continuously working with my staff, the Chairman, and her staff in promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness while helping to ensure integrity, excellence, and value in the delivery of the Arts Endowment mission.