(Photo credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
On February 12, the President released his Executive Budget proposal. The $4 trillion proposal includes the elimination of all funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.
The NEA’s current budget is around $148 million, or just 0.004% of the total US budget. The NEA provides grants to every congressional district in the US and is the only government agency with a mission dedicated to the advancement of the arts for all Americans. Forty percent (40%) of all NEA funds go directly to state arts agencies where they are matched with state funds and granted to communities across every state. Additionally, the nonprofit arts sector supports over 4 million jobs, and the arts and cultural production sector of the US contributes 4.2% of the nation’s GDP, or $729 billion.
Read a statement from the NEA here.
In 2017, the President called for the elimination of the NEA, however both the House and Senate proposed funding for the agency – $145 million and $150 million respectively.
What’s Next
The President’s budget is merely a proposal. The federal budget process starts in the House of Representatives, and then goes to the Senate before a final deal is worked out.
Action You Can Take
- Email your Congressional representatives and let them know that you support the arts.
- Join us in Washington DC, March 12-13 for National Arts Advocacy Day.
- SHARE this message and encourage your friends to contact their elected officials.
