This article reports on First Lady Laura Bush's announcement that the White House would recommend to Congress that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) receive additional funds to underwrite an initiative called "American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius". The proposed $18 million increase in funds would be allocated each year beginning in in fiscal year 2005 and continue for the next three years. The program will provide exposure of America's achievements in all arts disciplines to children and adults through touring shows, local presentations and arts education.

The author also traces the history of the NEA budget during the last decade which found its appropriations slashed after controversial funding of what some lawmakers perceived as obscene art. The NEA has since refocused its strategy to target underserved communities for artistic enrichment and funds, as well as designing programs that received specific blocks of money from Congress.

This article reports on First Lady Laura Bush's announcement that the White House would recommend to Congress that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) receive additional funds to underwrite an initiative called "American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius". The proposed $18 million increase in funds would be allocated each year beginning in in fiscal year 2005 and continue for the next three years. The program will provide exposure of America's achievements in all arts disciplines to children and adults through touring shows, local presentations and arts education.