02-25-2010: United States Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan testifies before two important committees and explains the President's FY 2011 appropriations request for his agency. Of particular interest to the arts community is the proposed consolidation of the Arts in Education programs into the Effective Teaching and Learning for a Well Rounded Education program. The South Carolina Arts Alliance requested that its member of Congress, House Budget Chairman John Spratt (D-SC), ask Secretary Duncan about plans for arts education funding.

Rep. Spratt obliged and stated that he feared arts would be put on the "back burner” under the proposed budget. Secretary Duncan responded that the proposal would fund arts programs, recognizing the need for a well-rounded curriculum. At a later House Education and Labor Committee hearing on March 3rd, the Secretary's opening statement mentioned that there is now potentially more funding for the arts in this budget in response to concerns heard from across the country.  Read Sec. Duncan's statement.