June 7, 2024
With the Presidential election heating up, ongoing efforts to secure funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) have slowed. As you know, the President has recommended increasing the NEA’s budget to $210.1 million, a slight but significant rise from the current $207 million. When that figure was announced, we heard from Congressional leadership that there was interest by both parties to try to pass all 12 appropriations bills by the summer recess in August, to allow members to focus entirely on their campaigns.
Unfortunately, as we approach mid-June, that scenario seems increasingly unlikely. At the moment, we await the proposal from the House of Representatives, which has been less generous in its support in recent years. Last year, the House recommended a 10% reduction in NEA funding, and there is a strong possibility that we will see a similar proposal this year. This potential cut is a reminder of the ongoing hurdles the NEA faces in securing stable and adequate funding.
Despite these challenges, there is reason for optimism. The NEA continues to enjoy strong bipartisan support, with lawmakers from both parties recognizing the value of the arts in fostering community engagement, education and economic development. This broad base of support is crucial as we move into the next phase of the budget approval process.
Now, more than ever, it is imperative for arts advocates to take action. If you haven’t had the chance to do so yet, please consider contacting your members of Congress and urging them to support the NEA. Emphasize that public funding for arts and creativity is a high-return investment that benefits every American in every city, town and rural community nationwide. This reinforces that even in this difficult climate, the public continues to understand and value the role of arts funding in strengthening and improving our communities.
