ARTS ADVOCATES FROM KEY STATES HEAD TO CAPITOL HILL TO PUSH FOR INCREASED NEA AND NEH FUNDING
Legislative Fly-In focuses on securing satisfactory FY2026 appropriations for Nationwide Endowment for the Arts and Nationwide Endowment for the Humanities
WHAT: In partnership with Individuals for the Arts and its advocacy affiliate Arts Motion Fund, arts business leaders from throughout the nation are gathering on Capitol Hill to carry a message on to Congress:
Federal arts funding creates jobs, drives innovation, and strengthens the colourful communities the place households need to reside and work. By way of the Nationwide Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Nationwide Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), this funding reaches each congressional district nationwide—together with rural areas and small cities.
Advocates are urging Congress to applicable $209 million every for the NEA and NEH in FY2026—a modest $2 million enhance that empowers state and native arts businesses, arts and tradition organizations, and particular person artists to construct the inventive infrastructure our communities want.
WHEN:
- July 14-15: Conferences with key Home Inside Appropriators
- July 21-22: Conferences with key Senate Inside Appropriators
WHERE: Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
WHY IT MATTERS:
- Financial Impression: The humanities and tradition sector contributes $1.2 trillion to our economic system and creates 5.4 million American jobs, representing 4.2% of GDP. Present federal funding quantities to simply 62 cents per particular person, regardless of the NEA constantly exceeding the required 1:1 state match and working as one of many federal authorities’s most effective businesses.
- Neighborhood Vitality: Federal arts funding represents not an both/or selection with human companies, however a strategic funding that strengthens schooling, builds civic connections, and preserves cultural heritage. This creates vibrant locations the place households need to make investments and construct their futures. With distinctive attain serving 779 extra counties than the highest 1,000 foundations mixed, this funding delivers affect the place it’s wanted most.
- Robust Bipartisan Assist: 70% of Individuals assist native authorities arts funding, with assist transcending political divisions: 4 in 5 Democrats and three in 5 Republicans and Independents favor authorities funding.
- Well timed Connection: As America approaches its 250th birthday, cultural establishments and organizations are being known as upon to plan and honor this historic celebration. With each NEA and NEH chairs serving on the White Home Process Drive for America’s 250th, satisfactory funding turns into important to assist the very organizations tasked with commemorating our nation’s heritage.
WHO: Arts advocates representing communities from Utah, Nevada, Alaska, Texas, Kentucky, South Dakota, West Virginia, Nebraska, and Idaho—states whose Members of Congress sit on the Home and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Inside, Surroundings, and Associated Businesses, the committees with direct affect over NEA and NEH funding ranges.
WHO: Arts advocates representing communities from Utah, Nevada, Alaska, Texas, Kentucky, South Dakota, West Virginia, Nebraska, and Idaho—states whose Members of Congress sit on the Home and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Inside, Surroundings, and Associated Businesses, the committees with direct affect over NEA and NEH funding ranges.
PHOTO AVAILABLE: A photograph of collaborating advocates was taken in Washington, DC, at the moment (July 14, 2025).
Featured advocates (L to R): Danielle Cross McCracken, President, Oglebay Institute (West Virginia); Annie DiMartino, Government Director, Utah Cultural Alliance; Rosalie Gilbert, Arts and Occasion Providers Supervisor, Metropolis of Mansfield (Texas); Nettie Oliverio, COO, Foothill Companions, Included and Board Member, Nevada Arts Council; Tony Manfredi, Government Director, Nevada Arts Council.
CONTACT: Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis – [email protected]
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Notice to Editors: The Arts Motion Fund gives sources for arts supporters to interact with their Members of Congress by way of the Arts Motion Heart at www.artsactionfund.org/arts-action-center
About Individuals for the Arts and the Arts Motion Fund:
For 65 years, Individuals for the Arts has superior arts and tradition by way of bipartisan collaboration, whereas its advocacy affiliate, the Arts Motion Fund, mobilizes a whole lot of hundreds of grassroots supporters nationwide. Collectively, these organizations work in tandem to make sure arts and tradition stay important to American communities – from empowering native arts businesses to driving financial development and social connection. By way of strategic advocacy applications just like the Legislative Fly-Ins, native arts successes rework into nationwide coverage development, creating stronger, extra vibrant communities throughout city, suburban, and rural America.
Analysis & Impression Information:
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Financial Evaluation, Nationwide Endowment of the Arts (NEA), Individuals Communicate Out Concerning the Arts in 2023, carried out by Ipsos Public Affairs