Legislative News
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A new record number of U.S. Representatives have signed the annual “Dear Colleague” letter in support of federal arts funding, led by the bipartisan Congressional Arts Caucus co-chairs, Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY). This year, the letter asked for “at least” $167.5 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for FY 2020, and 184 U.S. Representatives signed the letter.
Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch and Marine veteran Chris Stowe testified today before the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, urging the committee to increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts to no less than $167.5 million for FY 2020.
Just about 4.5 months late, Congress and the White House finally approved a package of spending bills for fiscal year 2019, including funds for the National Endowment for the Arts.
For arts stakeholders, the public comment period is a keen opportunity to put forward a request for the Community Reinvestment Act to increase its support of arts-based community development and creative placemaking.
Arts North Carolina launched a new legislative campaign in early 2018 that aims to increase state arts grants by nearly 60%, from $6.3 million to $10 million; and collaborated on the creation of the Caucus for the Arts and Arts Education in the NC House of Representatives.
The U.S. Senate has just passed their Interior Appropriations bill for FY 2019 including $155 million for both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities!
Under the leadership of Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA) and Ranking Member Betty McCollum (D-MN), both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) are proposed at $155 million for FY 2019 in the U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee bill, a $2 million increase from 2018.
Arizona Citizens for the Arts rallied its advocates over Governor Doug Ducey's plan to eliminate $2 million in funding for arts grants, and the state legislature and governor heard from over 1,000 constituents speaking out against zeroing out state arts funding.
Partnering with Oklahoma A+ Schools, Oklahoma Art Education Association, and the Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education, hundreds of arts and arts education advocates came to promote arts education funding on April 11 within the bigger picture of the Oklahoma teacher walkout.
