In May, U.S. House Subcommittee Proposed Funding Increase for the NEA & NEH
Some belated, but important news from the Americans for the Arts- Arts Action News:
On May 25th the the U.S. House of Representatives Interior Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously approved legislation .jpg)
to fund the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) at an increase of nearly $2 million in funding to $150 million for FY 2017! (MALC note: this subcommittee also voted to approve a $2 million increase for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH))
This increase builds on another $2 million increase just seen in December, when Congress finished last year’s funding work.
The success is a tribute to you and your steadfast advocacy for the arts! As you may remember, this past spring saw a new record-number of members sign the NEA funding request “Dear Colleague” letter. You may have asked your member to sign during Arts Advocacy Day. Thanks to all the advocates who came to Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, DC this past March to conduct this advocacy.
Next Steps
The House is anticipated to consider this legislation in full committee following Memorial Day, where amendments will be offered. The Senate will also be preparing their own version in the coming weeks. Due to the uncertainty on the schedule, we will keep you posted on any action steps to take.
Here is a quick chart:
| Key Federally Funded Arts Program | FY 2016 Enacted Appropriations (in millions) |
FY 2017 President’s Request (in millions) |
FY 2017 House Subcommittee Proposal (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) | $148 | $150 | $150 |
| National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) | $148 | $150 | $150 |
| Smithsonian Institute | $840 | $922 | $863 |
| U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum | $54 | $57 | $57 |
| John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts | $36 | $35 | $36 |
| Commission of Fine Arts | $2.65 | $2.8 | $2.7 |
| National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs | $2 | $1.4 | $2 |
| National Gallery of Art | $148 | $158 | $153 |