Federal Funding for the National Endowment for the Arts
What Is At Stake
A unique combination of private and public funding and box office receipts come together to support the nonprofit performing arts. A critical source of federal support for performing arts organizations around the country comes from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Through direct grants and support to state arts agencies, the NEA awards more than 2,200 grants each year to nonprofit performing arts organizations for projects that encourage artistic creativity. Despite overwhelming support by the American public for spending federal tax dollars in support of the arts, the NEA has never recovered from a 40 percent budget cut in the mid-nineties and its programs are seriously underfunded. The Performing Arts Alliance (PAA) and other arts advocates work hard each year to strengthen support for the NEA in Congress.
What We Are Asking Right Now
We urge Congress to support a budget of $155 million for the NEA in the FY 2014 Interior Appropriations bill to preserve citizen access to the cultural, educational, and economic benefits of the arts and to advance creativity and innovation in communities across the United States.
Recent Activity
FY13 House Interior Appropriations Bill
June 20, 2012
The U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee voted to cut NEA funding by $14 million for FY13 from the current funding level of $146 million. This decrease of nearly 10% is in addition to the $9 million decrease the NEA suffered last year.
FY12 NEA Funding Finalized
December 28, 2011
President Obama has signed a consolidated bill to finalize FY12 federal funding. The final budget package includes $145.979 million for the NEA.
After a rollercoaster year, the FY12 NEA budget suffered a decrease of $8.745 million compared to last year's funding allocation. The House of Representatives and the Senate proposed budgets ranging from $135 million to $155 million, ultimately compromising to reach the same amount originally requested by the President, a decrease for the agency to a level of $145.979 million. In anticipation of a decrease this year, the NEA, which is halfway through its FY12 grant cycle, has reduced the total amount of grant disbursement, and further changes for FY13 grants and beyond are expected to be announced shortly.
House Passes Amendment to Cut NEA Funding
February 17, 2011
The House of Representatives approved an amendment offered by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI-7) to cut FY11 funding to the NEA by $20.6 million. This amendment was on top of the $22.5 million funding reduction already recommended by the House Appropriations Committee. The House FY11 continuing budget resolution now includes a $43.1 million funding decrease to the NEA, which represents a 25% cut from current funding.
The approved amendment offered by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI-7) to reduce NEA funding was adopted by a vote of 217-209. Two amendments, filed by Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5) and Rep. Connie Mack (R-FL-14) to completely eliminate NEA funding, were not ultimately offered on the House floor.
The FY11 budget resolution has moved to the Senate, and we are calling on Senators to restore federal funding for the NEA.
