Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition

Artists leaders and artist-run groups addressing policy issues that affect artists in Massachusetts

Your advocacy worked for the NEA, NEH and PBS!

Good news from the Americans for the Arts

Americans for the Arts reports that not only did Congress reach a bipartisan agreement to fund government agencies through the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, but that no arts and culture agencies or programs received cuts, with some receiving increases!

Please note that the Arts Action Fund gives special thanks to the following:

Special thanks to House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA) for initiating a funding increase for many of these cultural programs in the House Interior bill and to Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) for having the Senate match the funding increases in this bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations bill. Many thanks to Congressional Arts Caucus co-chairs Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ) and Senate Cultural Caucus co-chairs Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) for keeping member pressure on Congressional leaders to increase funding for these critically important cultural agencies. Huge thanks to our 350,000 Arts Action Fund members for contacting their Members of Congress, signing our petitions to the White House, and sharing their stories on social media and with the news media. ~ “Congress Gives Arts Funding a Boost“, May 1, 2017

#SAVEtheNEA

These funding gains only last until September 30, 2017. You’ll need to keep advocating for the FY2018 federal budget. You should continue to contact your Representative, with the helpful assistance of the Arts Action Fund.

To make your message more locally relevant, refer to this excellent Harvard Crimson story, “Boston Artists React to NEA Defunding“.

The benefits of the NEA transcend social classes, according to Greenblatt. “This funding doesn’t exist in order to enhance the cultural life of a number of ultra-elite wealthy people,” he said. “It’s shared very very broadly, and it’s something that America needs.” ~ “Boston Artists React to NEA Defunding“, April 25, 2017