National Endowment for the Arts

Action Alerts:

7/7/11: NEA Funding Threatened Disproportionately
On July 7, 2011 the U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee voted to cut National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding by $20 million for FY12 from the current funding level of $155 million. The NEA already suffered a $12.5 million decrease last year and today's proposal more than doubles the $9 million reduction recommended by President Obama in FY12. The Subcommittee's nearly 13% cut is also disproportionate to the 7% cut to the overall spending levels in the entire Interior bill.
ACTION: The full House Appropriations Committee is expected to vote on the FY12 Interior Appropriations bill next week. In advance, it is extremely important that members of the Appropriations Committee hear from constituents supporting funding for the NEA. Click here to send a personalized letter and invite your friends to do the same.

3/1/11: Restore FY11 Funding for Arts in Education and NEA!
As the long-term FY11 budget resolution debate continues, your help is needed to urge Congress to restore funding for the Arts in Education program at the U.S. Department of Education and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The House FY11 long-term budget resolution eliminates funding for the Arts in Education program and includes a $43.1 million decrease in NEA funding. It is important the arts community raise its voice and urge legislators to restore funding to both of these programs.
ACTION: Click here to send your members of Congress a personalized message urging them to restore funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Arts in Education program at the U.S Department of Education.

2/17/11: House Passes Amendment to Cut NEA Funding
On February 17, the House of Representatives approved an amendment offered by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI-7) to cut FY11 funding to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) by $20.6 million. This was on top of the $22.5 million funding reduction already recommended by the House Appropriations Committee.
ACTION:  In the next few days, please take a minute to view the Roll Call Vote on the Walberg amendment to see how your Representative voted and send a follow up message. Click here to send a message to your elected officials urging them to restore the NEA’s budget.

News Alert--Discussions in Congress on FY 2011 Appropriations Continue: As the lame duck session in Congress progresses, it is uncertain the direction the House and Senate are expected to take on appropriations. The federal government is currently funded by a Continuing Resolution (CR) through December 3 at FY 2010 levels, so Congress will need to act before that date to keep the government running. One possibility is an additional CR to fund the government until the new Congress takes office in January, and another option is for Congress to pass a year-end FY 2011 omnibus spending package by December 3. Stay tuned for updates on the funding direction Congress takes.

7/28/10: House Interior Appropriations Subcommitte approves $2.5 million increase to the NEA  The House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee has approved a $2.5 million increase for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), bringing NEA funding to $170 million for FY 2011.  Current funding for the agency totals $167.5 million.  This is a noteworthy increase given the current discretionary spending freeze in place.  ACTION: Contact your elected official to support this increase in NEA funding.

3/20/10: Support an Increase in Funding for the NEA
President Obama’s FY2011 budget was recently released and it contained mixed news for the arts community. The president ultimately proposed the same funding allocation that he proposed last year for the NEA, $161.3 million. The NEA is currently funded at $167.5 million, so the president's proposal would translate to a $6.2 million decrease in funding.
ACTION: Please take a moment to write your Senators and Representative and ask them to increase funding for the NEA to $180 million for FY2011. Click here to view this Action Alert on the Performing Arts Alliance Website, and to send an e-mail to your elected officials.

10/30/09: House and Senate Approve NEA Increase
On Thursday, October 30, 2009, both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate passed an increase in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts for $167.5 million in FY 2010. This appropriation is a $12.5 million increase above the current $155 million in funding. The House had previously approved a $170 million funding level, while the Senate had approved $161.3 million. The White House had originally budgeted $161 million. The final budget, reconciled in conference committee this week, was passed by a vote of 247-178 in the House and 72-28 in the Senate with President Obama expected to sign the bill shortly.
ACTION: Please contact your representative and thank them for their support of the arts. Click here to view this Action Alert on the Performing Arts Alliance Website, and to send an e-mail to your elected officials.

9/30/09: Support an Increase in Funding for the NEA
The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have completed their appropriations bills for FY 2010. Included in these bills are funding allocations for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), with the House approving $170 million for the NEA and the Senate allocating $161.3 million. The House appropriation represents a $15 million increase over FY 2009 funding. The next step in the appropriations process will be a House and Senate conference committee to arrive at a final funding decision.
ACTION: Please take a moment to contact your Senators and Representatives and ask that they urge their colleagues on the Senate and House Interior Appropriations Subcommittees to support a $15 million increase for the NEA, setting FY 2010 funding at $170 million. Click here to view this Action Alert on the Performing Arts Alliance Website, and to send an e-mail to your elected officials.

News Alert - NEA Stimulus Funding Now Accessible
The National Endowment for the Arts will provide one-time grants for projects that focus on preserving jobs in the arts to eligible not-for-profits including: arts organizations, local arts agencies, statewide assemblies of local arts agencies, arts service organizations, units of state or local government, and a wide range of other organizations that can help advance the goals of the NEA and this program. All applicants must be previous NEA award recipients from the past four years (see "Applicant Eligibility" for more information). In addition, organizations are limited to receiving NEA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds through only one source. Sources include the Arts Endowment directly, or through an entity eligible to subgrant NEA funds including a state arts agency, a regional arts organization of state arts agencies, or a designated local arts agency that is eligible to subgrant or regrant funds.
ACTION: The deadline for application is April 2, 2009. For more information on how to apply, please visit: http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/recovery/index.html.

2/13/09: Economic Stimulus Bill Includes $50 Million for the NEA - A Big Win For the Arts
Today (February 13th) marks a significant victory for the arts in this country. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes $50 million to preserve jobs in the non-profit arts sector to be distributed through the NEA. The theatre community mobilized and actively participated in effecting this positive legislative outcome. Members of Congress need to be continually reminded that theatre companies supply jobs, purchase goods and services, and provide programs contributing in measurable ways to the health of our nation’s communities. Thanks to everyone for your advocacy efforts! How can you access this funding? The National Endowment for the Arts will provide one-time grants for projects that focus on preserving jobs in the arts to eligible not-for-profits including: arts organizations, local arts agencies, statewide assemblies of local arts agencies, arts service organizations, units of state or local government, and a wide range of other organizations that can help advance the goals of the NEA and this program. All applicants must be previous NEA award recipients from the past four years (see "Applicant Eligibility" for more information). In addition, organizations are limited to receiving NEA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds through only one source. Sources include the Arts Endowment directly, or through an entity eligible to subgrant NEA funds including a state arts agency, a regional arts organization of state arts agencies, or a designated local arts agency that is eligible to subgrant or regrant funds. The deadline for application is April 2, 2009.
ACTION: For more information on how to apply, please visit: http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/recovery/index.html.

1/28/09: Urge Senate to Support the NEA
In their markup of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill (ARRP) of 2009, the Senate Appropriations Committee has cut funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The bill goes to the House floor today, and we urge you to take action by contacting your Representative to build support for its passage. Later this week, the Senate takes up the bill, therefore your participation could still influence the final outcome.
ACTION: Help to ensure that Congress makes the arts a priority. Click here to view this Action Alert on the Performing Arts Alliance Website, and to send an e-mail to your elected officials.

6/10/08: Increase for National Endowment for the Arts
The NEA provides critical federal funding for performing arts organizations, encourages artistic achievement, and brings the performing arts to Americans in every corner of the country. Direct grants to performing arts organizations--and NEA support allocated through state arts agencies--expand public access to performances, preserve great classical works, and nurture the creative endeavors of performing artists nationwide.
ACTION: Please take a moment to write your Senators and Representative and ask them to increase funding for the NEA. Click here to see the Performing Arts Alliance Webpage, an Action Alert on this issue, and to access a sample letter.

1/2/08: Congress Approves Historic NEA Increase
NEA funding will grow by $20.3 million in FY08, the largest single increase for the agency since 1979, bringing the total support for the agency to $144.7 million. Congress passed the increase in an end-of-year Omnibus Bill, which the President signed on December 26. This increase in NEA funding reflects years of advocacy since the agency's budget was severely cut in 1995.
ACTION: Please take a moment to thank your Member of Congress for this important increase! Congressional Arts Caucus co-chairs Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) along with Interior Appropriations Sub-Committee Chairman Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) deserve special thanks. Click here to see the Performing Arts Alliance webpage, the Action Alert on this issue, and to access a sample letter.

6/29/07: The House Approves a $35 Million Funding Increase for the NEA 
The House of Representatives has approved a $35 million increase in funding for the NEA for FY08. This is the largest single increase in NEA history and represents a significant restoration of funding for the NEA.
ACTION: Please take a moment to thank NEA champions, Reps. Dicks, Slaughter, and Shays. Please also take a moment to express disappointment in Reps. Bishop, Brown-Waite, and Lamborn who offered anti-NEA amendments. Click here to see the Performing Arts Alliance webpage and to find out how to contact specific House Representatives.

6/20/07: Ask your Senator to Support a Larger Increase in NEA Funding 
Despite incremental increases in funding, the NEA has never recovered from a 40% cut in FY96. The House Appropriations Committee has approved a $35 million increase for the NEA funding for a total FY08 appropriation of $160 million. The Senate Appropriations Committee has only approved a $9 million increase.
ACTION: Click here to see the Performing Arts Alliance webpage, the Action Alert on this issue, and to ask your Senator to support a larger increase in NEA funding.

6/13/07: Tell the House to Support an Increase in NEA Funding 
In partnership with other arts advocates nationwide, the Performing Arts Alliance is asking Congress to vote in favor of an increase in NEA funds and oppose any amendments which would decrease funding. The $35 million increase in funding for FY08, already approved by the House Appropriations Committee, would substantially restore grant dollars available to support the creation, preservation, and presentation of the arts in America.
ACTION: Please contact your Representative and ask him/her to support the $35 million funding increase for the NEA when the spending bill comes to the House floor. Click here to see the Performing Arts Alliance webpage, the Action Alert on this issue, and to access a sample letter.

5/23/07: House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Approves $35 Million Increase In NEA Funding 
During the May 23rd mark-up of the FY 2008 Interior Appropriations bill, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee approved a budget of $160 million for the National Endowment for the Arts – a $35 million increase over FY 2007 funding, a phenomenal show of support for the arts.
ACTION: Please take a moment to thank the members of the Interior Appropriations Committee for supporting federal funding for the arts. Click here to see the Performing Arts Alliance webpage and their May 2007 Advocacy Report.
 
5/14/07: Tell Congress to Increase NEA Funding
In February, President Bush asked for a budget of $128.4 for the NEA for FY 2008 - only a $4 million increase for FY 2007 funding. The United States House of Representatives Interior Appropriations Subcommittee is expected to begin mark-up of the FY 2008 Interior Appropriations bill, which includes funding for the NEA, as early as May 16. 
ACTION: Please contact your member of Congress and ask him or her to support increased funding for the NEA. Click here to see the Performing Arts Alliance webpage, the action Alert on this issue, and to access a sample letter to your Congressperson.

4/11/07: Circulating NEA and Arts Education Letters
President Bush has asked for a $4 million increase for the NEA and zero funding for the Arts in Education programs at the US Department of Education. With no additional funding, inflation will cut into the NEA's ability to make grants to performing arts organizations and the Department of Education will be unable to make a second round of Arts in Education grants. The Congressional Arts Caucus is circulating two Dear Colleague letters in support of increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and increased funding for the Arts in Education programs at the U.S. Department of Education.
ACTION: Please take a moment to write to your Representative and ask him or her to sign the Arts Caucus Dear Colleague letters. Click here to see the Performing Arts Alliance webpage.
Click here to see the power of your support since this cause was posted.

3/09/07: Celebrate Arts Advocacy Day
Tuesday, March 13th is Arts Advocacy Day! Arts advocates from around the country will be descending on Capitol Hill to tell Congress to support the arts.
ACTION: Please contact your Representative and Senators and urge them to support the issues you care about in honor of Arts Advocacy Day 2007. Click here to see the Performing Arts Alliance webpage, the Action Alert on this issue, and to access a sample letter.
Click here to see the power of your support since this cause was posted.

9/26/06: Circulating NEA Funding Increase Letter
Senator Coleman (R-MN) has drafted a Dear Colleague letter in support of a $5-$10 million increase for the NEA. The House of Representatives has approved a $5 million increase in funding for the NEA while the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved level funding. It is likely that NEA funding will be rolled into a giant package of funding measures that Congress will consider in November.
ACTION: Please ask your Senators to sign the Senate Dear Colleague letter in support of a $5 - $10 million increase for the NEA.

6/26/06: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $124.4 Million Budget for NEA
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved a budget of $124.4 million or level funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Advocates had hoped that Senate appropriators would at least match the $5 million increase that was approved by the House in May. The funding will be considered by the full Senate sometime in July.
ACTION: Please write to your Senator to support the House-passed NEA budget of $129.4 million.

5/22/06: Amendments in the House to Increase and Decrease NEA Funding
The U.S. House of Representatives has debated the FY 2007 Interior Appropriations bill, which includes funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The Congressional Arts Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) offered a bipartisan amendment to increase the NEA’s budget by $5 million during the floor debate on May 18th. Rep. Bob Beauprez (R-CO) offered an amendment to cut NEA funding by $30 million. This cut would have devastated the NEA’s ability to support the performing arts in communities across the country. After defeating the anti-NEA Beauprez Amendment, the House approved a $5 million increase for the NEA on a voice vote.
ACTION: Please take a moment to thank the Representatives who supported the NEA and express your disappointment with those who voted for the anti-NEA Beauprez Amendment.

4/17/06: Tell Congress to Increase NEA Funding
Representatives Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Christopher Shays (R-CT), co-chairs of the Congressional Arts Caucus, plan to offer a bipartisan amendment to increase the NEA’s budget by $5–7 million during the floor debate.
ACTION: Please contact your member of Congress and ask him or her to support a budget increase for the NEA.

2/10/06: Tell Congress to Support a Larger NEA and Arts in Education Budget
President Bush released the Administration’s budget request for FY 2007 this week, and once again he has requested no new funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the elimination of all funding for the Department of Education’s Arts in Education Programs and a cut of $53.5 million from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). An NEA budget of $124.4 million leaves the agency seriously under-funded and unable to fund the thousands of qualified grant applications it receives. Without Additional funds, the NEA will be unable to adequately fund the discipline programs which are so important to the theatre community.
ACTION: Please write to your Members of Congress, and ask them to support an NEA budget of $170 million in the FY07 Interior Appropriations bill and an Arts in Education budget of $53 million for FY07.

8/16/05: Senate and House Differ in Willingness to Support NEA Funding
The U.S. House and Senate conference committee on the FY 2006 Interior Appropriations bill was convened to work out the differences between the Senate and House bills. The conference committee approved an increase of $4.4 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The NEA was granted a $5 million increase, but then an across-the-board rescission to the entire bill of .476% reduced the funding level for the agency to $125.6 million.
ACTION: Please take the time to thank your Representatives and Senators for their support of the NEA and the performing arts.

7/13/05: Reconciliation between House and Senate for Proposed NEA Budget
Selected representatives from the House and Senate will soon convene a conference committee to craft a final Interior Appropriations bill to reconcile the differences between the House passed NEA budget of $131.3 million and the Senate passed budget of $127.3 million.
ACTION: Please write and FAX your U.S. Representative and/or your U.S. Senator listed below AS SOON AS POSSIBLE but no later than July 15, and ask him or her to support the $10 million increase to the NEA during the conference committee over the 2006 Interior Appropriations bill.

6/1/05: Promote the Arts and Humanities
Beginning the week of June 6th, the Senate Appropriations Sub-committee will begin its deliberations on the FY 2006 Interior Appropriations bill, which contains NEA funding. This year, we need the Senate to match the House funding level. 2) Additionally, the United States Senate is establishing a new bipartisan caucus dedicated to promoting the arts and humanities within the Senate.
ACTION: 1) Please write, fax, email or call your U.S. Senators and ask them to support any effort to increase NEA funding to $131.3, and 2) write your Senators and urge them to join the Senate Cultural Caucus.

5/17/05: NEA and NEH Funding Debated in House
On May 18, the United States House of Representatives is expected to begin debate on the FY 2006 Interior Appropriations bill, which includes funding for the NEA and NEH. During the debate, members of the Congressional Arts Caucus and Humanities Caucus will offer a bi-partisan amendment most likely to seek an Additional $10 million for the NEA and $5 million for the NEH.
ACTION: Please CALL and/or FAX your U.S. Representative no later than 5:00 PM Wed, May 18 and ask them to vote in favor of the amendment to increase NEA and NEH fundin gduring the floor debate over the FY 2006 Interior Appropriations bill. Also, encourage your Representative to oppose any efforts to eliminate or reduce the agency’s funding.

4/27/05: FY06 Interior Appropriations Bill Includes Level Funding for the NEA
On Wednesday, May 4, the United States House of Representatives Interior Appropriations Subcommittee is expected to begin work on the FY 2006 Interior Appropriations bill, which includes funding for the NEA. In March 2005, President Bush requested $121.3 million for the NEA – level funding from the previous year. An Additional $15 million above the president's request will expand the NEA's ability to perform its core mission.
ACTION: During the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee work on the NEA, urge your U.S. Representative to appropriate $136.3 million for the NEA in FY06. This budget figure would go towards supporting the NEA's mission to bring the arts to all Americans.