press room
For Immediate Release
05/18/2006Contact:
Beth Olsen
Goodman Media for Americans for the Arts
212.576.2700 ext. 243 or bolsen@goodmanmedia.com
Americans for the Arts Responds to the Vote in U.S. House of Representatives on Funding for Federal Cultural Agencies
Washington, DC — May 18, 2006 — The U.S. House of Representatives today approved by a voice vote an amendment to increase funding for two federal cultural agencies in the FY 2007 budget. The amendment increases funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) by $5 million to $129.4 million in total, and for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) by $5 million to $145.9 million in total. The amendment was offered by the co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Arts Caucus, Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT), along with humanities caucus co-chairs Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA) and Rep. David Price (D-ND). Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA), ranking member of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, also co-sponsored the amendment. Consideration of the funding increase will now move to the U.S. Senate.
Following the vote, Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch stated the following:
"A great thanks is owed to the Congressional Arts Caucus, especially Rep. Louise Slaughter and Rep. Christopher Shays for their unerring support and efforts in securing additional funding for the NEA and NEH. In these fiscally challenging times, the incremental increase of funding for the federal arts agencies shows that the Members of Congress understand the importance and service the arts play nationally and in our local communities."
"Disappointing is the fact that the administration's budget substantially reduced funding for the NEA's Challenge America program, which provides access to the arts in underserved areas. In large part through Challenge America, NEA directly funded projects in 100 percent of all congressional districts in 2005. We urge the NEA to devote the House-approved increase to restoring the Challenge America program. These projects provide both a creative and economic stimulus. Nationally, over 548,000 businesses are involved in the production and delivery of America's creative industries and they employ over 2.99 million people. The arts mean business. The arts yield jobs."
The nonprofit arts industry generates $134 billion in economic activity annually for the U.S. economy, supports 4.85 million full-time jobs, and returns $10.5 billion in income tax revenue back to the federal government.
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of more than 45 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
