Once again, the budget of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is facing cuts. Earlier this week, a U.S. House of Representatives appropriations subcommittee began the funding cycle for Fiscal Year 2012 by approving legislation to cut the NEA’s funding by 13%, to $135.2 million. This budget proposal represents a disproportionate cut compared to other agencies like the EPA, Interior Department and the U.S. Forest Service, whose budgets are to be reduced by only 7 percent. As Americans for the Arts stated during the contentious FY 2011 budget consideration earlier this year, the arts community recognizes the shared sacrifice being asked of all federal agencies to help reduce our national debt and it is willing to do its part, however the arts sector has proven to be a strong contributor to the economy, and NEA dollars are a critical lifeline in helping state and local budgets survive as philanthropic dollars are dwindling. The drastic proposed reduction does not take into account the incredible return on investment those funds generate to federal, state and local treasuries.
It is expected that the House Appropriations Committee will consider this legislation next week, and the full House of Representatives may consider it before the August recess. A message from you now registering your concerns with your member of Congress would be well-timed to arrive prior to these next steps in the appropriations process.
Thank you for your support of the arts!
