The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts has selected USO of Hawaii Director Eva Laird Smith to be its new executive director.

The state arts agency said Friday Smith will be the sixth executive director when she succeeds Ronald Yamakawa who is retiring. She is due to assume her new position on Jan. 3. 

Smith has also served as president of Junior Achivement of Hawaii, executive director of the Filipino Community Center of Hawaii, and executive director of Hawaii’s Plantation Village.

The state legislature established the foundation in 1965.

Biennium Grants administered by the foundation have provided millions of dollars to arts and cultural activities statewide.