Arts Action Alert FYI

President Bush today sent his FY 2007 budget request to Congress, beginning the yearly appropriations process for the nation's cultural agencies and programs, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Office of Museum Services (OMS), Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), and the Department of Education's Arts in Education programs. We urge you to write your Members of Congress and tell them to support increased funding for the nation's arts programs.

For FY 2007, the President has requested level funding for the NEA at $124.4 million and for the NEH at $141 million. However, the Administration once again attempts to re-distribute $3.46 million out of the longstanding and Congressionally-popular NEA Challenge America program in favor of more general grant support and administrative salary and overhead costs. Challenge America is a highly effective program, which uses the arts to enhance America’s communities through grants for arts education and improved access to the arts for all Americans, especially in underserved communities.

For the sixth consecutive year, the President's budget has eliminated funding for the Department of Education's Arts in Education programs, which include funding for model arts programs and collaborations with schools, teacher professional development, and arts programs for at-risk youth. Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert Lynch responded to the Administration's budget request with the following statement:

"Rather than zeroing out the Department of Education’s arts education programs, President Bush should ask for an increase. His State of the Union address recognized that we need to prepare a 21st-century workforce by fostering talent and creativity. While his American Competitiveness Initiative would substantially increase investments in math and science education, we also believe that one of the best ways to nurture creativity is to have children learn and actively participate in the arts. Studies show that students who participate in the arts are not only more likely to participate in a math and science fair but also out-perform their peers on the SATs by 87 points."

The President's budget also recommends cutting $53.5 million from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in FY 2007. As a trusted community resource, CPB uses the power of noncommercial television and radio to enrich the lives of all Americans through quality programs and education services. And finally on a more positive note, the President requested a funding boost of $4 million for the Office of Museum Services, bringing the total OMS budget to $36 million. A breakdown of the President's buget requests are as follows:

Federally Funded Arts Programs

Enacted FY06 (in millions)

President’s Request FY07 (in millions) National Endowment for the Arts 124.41 124.41 National Endowment for the Humanities 141 141 Office of Museum Services within IMLS 31.8 36 U.S. Dept. of Education’s Arts in Ed 35.3 0 Corporation for Public Broadcasting 396 347

As you know, the President's budget is the first step in the appropriations process. While it serves as an important framework, Congress has the power to set its own priorities and change these funding levels. That's where you come in.

Arts advocates can make their voices heard by writing their Members of Congress and urging them to increase funding for arts and culture and restore funding for arts in education programs. We have provided you with a customizable letter to send to your Members of Congress, as well as several talking points to help you craft your message. We recommend you add your own thoughts and stories about why the arts are important to you and your community. We also encourage you to join us in Washington, DC for Arts Advocacy Day, March 13-14, 2006. You'll have the opportunity to visit your Members of Congress face-to-face and urge them to support the arts.

If you have any questions, please contact Justin Beland, Government Affairs and Grassroots Manager, at jbeland@artsusa.org. Thank you for your continued support of the arts!