Advocacy Minimizes NEA Funding Cuts
In December, the Senate passed its 2012 appropriations bill, providing $146 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This figure is identical to President Obama's proposed budget—a cut of nearly $9 million from FY 2011. The budget is a compromise between the House of Representatives’ $135 million and the Senate’s $155 million.
A strategic and sustained grassroots advocacy campaign on behalf of our nation’s cultural agencies began nearly a year ago. This outcome clearly demonstrates that advocacy does work. The cut to the NEA was not as deep as some anticipated, the National Endowment for the Humanities also received $146 million, arts funding remained in the Department of Education’s budget, and the Corporation of Public Broadcasting received an increase.
2012 is an election year. Nevada’s arts advocates must be front and center—presenting its unified and compelling voice in support of appropriate levels of public funding for arts and arts education on the local, state and national levels.
Why? Because the arts work for Nevada – every day and in every community!
