President's FY20 Budget Proposes Elimination of the NEA

On March 18, the President released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2020. The proposal includes a provision to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), along with several other cultural agencies.

It's important to remember that there is a solid foundation of bipartisan support for the NEA. Despite the fact that the President's budget proposed eliminating the NEA in FY2018 and FY2019, Congress, in fact, gave steady increases in funding to the NEA and several other cultural agencies in both years. The recently passed federal budget gave the agencies a $2 million increase for FY2019, bringing the funding of both to $155 million.

In addition to eliminating the NEA, the administration proposes:

• Elminating the National Endowment for the Humanities
• Eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services
• Eliminating the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
• Reducing funding for cultural exchanges at the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs by almost $400 million
• Eliminating several programs at the U.S. Department of Education such as the Arts in Education program, Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Chorus America recently served as a National Partner for Arts Advocacy Day, when more than 500 advocates visited Washington DC and many of you sent e-mails urging Congress to fund the NEA at $167.5 million for FY2020.

Make Your Voice Heard!

Continue to let lawmakers know about the important role the arts play in your community. You can contact your legislators today to share your support for the NEA through Chorus America's partner, the Performing Arts Alliance.

A face-to-face meeting with an elected official when they are in their home district or state is even more effective - research their contact information here.