Congress to Consider NEA Funding
On the heels of last year’s $20.3 million increase in funding for the
National Endowment for the Arts, Congress is set to consider the next
funding level for the agency. NEA funding supports the work of orchestras
in communities nationwide through direct grants, state allocations, and
national initiatives. On April 1, the U.S. House of Representatives
will kick off the NEA appropriations process with a hearing on the
nation’s largest annual funder of the arts. The League has submitted
testimony for the record on behalf of orchestras, calling for an
increase in the NEA’s funding from $144.7 million to $176 million,
which would restore the agency’s budget to its 1992 level.
This year will bring a shorter-than-usual work period for Congress as
it races to adjourn for the elections. Please stay tuned for League
alerts notifying orchestras of targeted NEA advocacy opportunities.
Read League NEA Testimony
NEA FY09 Guidelines Now Available
The National Endowment for the Arts' (NEA) FY09 Grants for Arts Projects guidelines are now available on the NEA website.
To assist orchestras with the application process, the League attends
the public sessions of NEA review panels throughout the year and
outlines helpful tips for preparing your application, including an
overview of guideline changes. Orchestras may also contact an NEA specialist
to talk through the application.
Read the League's Tips for NEA Grant Applications
NEA funding will grow by $20.3 million in FY08, the largest single
increase for the agency in more than 30 years. In a very lean budget
year, Congress approved this major restoration of NEA funds, bringing
the total support for the agency to $144.7 million. Thank you for
letting Congress know the value of NEA support for orchestras
and the communities they serve. Advocacy efforts by orchestras in 2007
were closely coordinated with national efforts by the entire arts
community, spurring this major advancement in NEA funding. Following
are highlights from this year's efforts:
The NEA funding increase was included in a catch-all spending bill that
combined 11 annual federal funding measures. Congressional Arts Caucus
co-chairs Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Chris Shays (R-CT) rallied House
colleagues in support of the NEA, and Interior Appropriations Committee
Chairman Norm Dicks (D-WA) championed NEA funding as a priority issue.
Today's advancement of NEA funds reflects years of advocacy since the
agency's budget was severely cut in 1995. Orchestras will continue to
seek full restoration of NEA funding in 2008. Stay tuned!
See How NEA Grants to Orchestras Serve Communities
With the support of grants awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), orchestras will provide performances, workshops, master classes, and various community engagement programs to their communities. Challenge America Fast Track Review grants to orchestras totaling $100,000 were awarded on November 15, and Access to Artistic Excellence, Part One grants to orchestras totaling $1,502,000 were awarded on December 4. The League has compiled the project descriptions for grants to orchestras and grants related to the orchestra field.
Read the full story
Potential historic increases in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Arts Education are in jeopardy as Congress and the White House face off over total spending for the current fiscal year. On November 13, the President vetoed the Labor-HHS-Education funding bill, which included unprecedented support for arts education funding and would have fully funded long-awaited research on the status of arts education in our nation's schools. Only one of the 12 federal FY08 spending measures - the Defense bill - has been signed into law. Congress may craft a catch-all spending bill in December, but holding on to the gains in arts funding will be tough as Washington policymakers whittle away at all proposed increases in domestic spending.
See the Progress on Arts Education
A major restoration of National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding moved one step closer to enactment yesterday as the House approved a $35 million increase—the largest single increase in NEA history. Thank you for letting Congress know the value of NEA support for orchestras and the communities they serve. Advocacy efforts by orchestras and the broader arts community contributed to this major advancement in NEA funding, and further advocacy will be crucial as the NEA's bill undergoes final consideration by the full Senate and key congressional leaders.
Yesterday, the two highest-ranking members of the House subcommittee responsible for funding the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) heard testimony from Phoenix Symphony violist Karen Bea, who said, "It is time to increase federal support for the vitality of the arts in communities nationwide. The NEA has never fully recovered from a 40% budget cut in 1996."
In a hearing called by the House Interior Appropriations subcommittee, Bea was one of just two public witnesses invited to testify regarding federal arts funding. Actress Kerry Washington also provided eloquent testimony describing how the nonprofit performing arts led her to a successful commercial career. Bea’s testimony highlighted the public value of NEA funding, specifically describing the Phoenix Symphony’s NEA-supported One Nation project, a partnership with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Chairman Norm Dicks (D-WA) and Ranking Member Todd Tiahrt (R-KS), complemented the testimony. Chairman Dicks indicated his ongoing support for the NEA while Rep. Tiahrt recognized the value of NEA grants and his appreciation for a recent Kansas residency by the National Symphony Orchestra.
Read Complete Testimony 32.89 Kb