Proposed Increases to NEA and NEH: A Letter from Brad Erickson
Dear Colleagues,
Advocacy works!
Monday morning we received word from Americans for the Arts and other leading advocacy organizations that Congress has reached a bipartisan agreement that not only sustains crucial support for federal cultural agencies but actually increases funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities by $2 million each.
Your calls, emails and letters made a huge difference.
What’s Next:
First the House of Representatives will vote on the package, known as an “Omnibus Appropriations bill,” this Wednesday. Then the Senate will vote and the bill will be sent to the President who must sign it by Friday to keep the government running. Despite the President’s stated desire to see funding for the NEA, the NEH and a host of other agencies cut this year it appears he will sign the omnibus by Friday to avoid a government shut-down.
Then Congress will quickly turn its attention to crafting a budget for fiscal year 2018, which starts October 1. Our DC sources tell us this is where the real battle for arts funding will be fought. The President has said that for FY2018 he would like to eliminate the NEA and NEH and cancel all funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
We will be back to you with more action alerts as the budget process progresses. Stay alert and keep advocating. Together we can win this fight to fund the arts and enrich the lives of all Americans!
Onward!
Brad Erickson Executive Director Theatre Bay Area |
CALLS TO ACTION
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With The White House proposing to eliminate funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, there has never been a more important to make your voice heard!
Contact State Representatives
Your voice adds power! Take a few minutes to contact your representative and let them know you support sustained funding for the arts.
Contact The White House
Click here to contact The White House now to lend your support. You can call the comment line at 202-456-1111 or by emailing The White House.