Take Action
Help ensure that Congress maintains a $155 million budget for the National Endowment for the Arts in 2012 by sending your comments to Nevada’s congressional delegation before the holiday adjournment.
Background
Nevada Senator and Majority Senate Leader Harry Reid, a passionate supporter of the arts, asked that Nevadans contact their Congressional representatives to urge a level appropriation of $155 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for 2012.
Sen Reid’s comments were made in person to a Nevada advocacy delegation of Tim Jones (chair, board of the Nevada Arts Council), Jill Berryman (Nevada Alliance for Arts Education); and Mike Hillerby (chair, board of the Nevada Museum of Art). They were in Washington, D.C. as part of a seminar funded by the Western States Arts Federation.
Impact of NEA Funding
Today. federal dollars in support of the arts in Nevada are absolutely critical. During the past several years, the Nevada Arts Council’s state appropriation has been reduced by 53 percent. Not only does the NEA provide direct grants to arts organizations nationwide, it provides funding to all 50 state arts agencies. The NEA grant to the Nevada Arts Council now provides primary funding for our grants, programs and services that are distributed to artists, arts organizations, schools and communities throughout the state. Nevadans deserve access to arts and cultural activities at the local level, and the NEA helps make that happen.
Action Requested
Nevadans can help secure the $155 million budget for the NEA. Please take a few minutes to contact your Senator and Representative with this request. Your message should be short and specific:
- Urge each Senator and Congressman to maintain the current level of funding, $155 million, for the National Endowment for the Arts.
- Explain that a significant portion of these dollars flow into each Nevada county, and are truly dollars well spent. They bolster the economy, create and sustain jobs, provide valuable arts education at the critical K-12 levels, and animate our communities. If you are an NAC grantee or benefit from NAC funding, explain the value of these dollars.
- Thank your elected official for his/her support and leadership in this matter.
Again, time is of the essence. Please send your message no later than December 14, and encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same.
Creativity is a gift that keeps on giving. Happy Holidays from Arts4Nevada.org.
Advocacy Means Action
Your voice is critically important. Respond immediately when you get an Action Alert from Arts4Nevada.org. These campaigns are most effective when targeted--a specific, personal message to your legislative representatives.
Start Today
Develop a dialogue with your State Senator and Assemblyman or Assemblywoman today. Provide information and guidance throughout this most important of legislative sessions, through phone calls, letters, faxes, emails and, if possible, meetings in Carson City or in your hometown.
Comments should be brief and from the heart. You have many options about which issues work best for you and your correspondence, including:
economic impact (for organizations: jobs, payroll, taxes, etc.; for artists, your roles as entrepreneur and community asset, and as a taxpayer)
community vitality (attracting businesses and a workforce, enlivening downtowns, reducing crime, cultural tourism)
access and participation (who do you serve - community members, students, seniors)
arts education (particularly for pre K-12 and special populations)
Your message should be clear – Nevada’s investment in the arts for more than 41 years through the Nevada Arts Council has been good use of public dollars and continuation of public funding for the arts is essential in Nevada.
