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Sarah Jessica ParkerSex And The City actress Sarah Jessica Parker and the British-born American Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour will join a group of other stars from the fashion, art and entertainment worlds on the president's Committee on Arts and Humanities.

Obama has enlisted the help of elite figures from the creative industries to join the panel, which focuses on arts and humanities education, cultural diplomacy and economic revitilisation through the arts and special events. He also hopes to use their star power to help establish cultural links with other countries, including the UK, through the arts. Other famous names to join the committee include Hollywood actors Edward Norton, Kerry Washington and Oscar winner Forest Whitaker, as well as Desperate Housewives actress Alfre Woodard. French-born cellist Yo-yo Ma, philanthropist and wife of Senator John Kerry, Teresa Heinz and ballet star Damian Woetzel have also been recruited by Obama to join his 25-strong panel.

First Lady Michelle Obama will act as honorary co-chairman, along with film producer and director of the American Film Institute George Stevens Jr and Hairspray theatre producer Margo Lion.

"The arts are not just a nice thing to have or to do if there is free time or if one can afford it," explained Michelle Obama. "Rather paintings, poetry, music, design and dialogue, they all define who we are as people and provide an account of our history for the next generation."

The Committee on Arts and Humanities was set up in 1982 by former Hollywood actor and US president Ronald Reagan.