Ambassador-at-Large for Cultural Affairs Department of State – Washington, D.C. and Founder The Terra Museum of American Art (Deceased) – Chicago, Illinois
The Honorable Daniel J. Terra was appointed as Ambassador-at-large for Cultural Affairs by President Reagan in 1981. He is well suited to the role because of his long and distinguished career as philanthropist, entrepreneur, and patron of the visual and performing arts. The son of first generation Italian immigrants, Mr. Terra was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and attended Pennsylvania State University. As a young man of 28, he launched Lawter Chemicals, Inc. which manufactures polymer-based products including printing ink vehicles, synthetic resins, and organic colors. Throughout his successful business career, he has devoted a major amount of time to his two favorite pursuits – art collecting and philanthropy. Ambassador Terra’s philanthropic activities include his many endeavors on behalf of charitable, cultural, civic, and political organizations. “American philanthropy is a tremendous national achievement and should not only be perpetuated but enhanced.”
