Support the NEA and NEH!

As your constituent, I am writing to ask that you Protect the NEA and support restoring NEA and NEH funding to at least level funding of $207 million for each agency for FY 2026. The NEA broadens access to the cultural, educational, and economic benefits of the arts and advances creativity and innovation in communities across the United States. The NEA has consistently demonstrated government efficiency on a small budget that enhances economic activity across the country. The NEA helps support a nonprofit arts sector that generated $151.7 billion of economic activity in 2022—$73.3 billion in spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and an additional $78.4 billion in event-related expenditures by their audiences. This economic activity supported 2.6 million jobs, provided $101 billion in personal income to residents, and generated $29.1 billion in tax revenue to local, state, and federal governments. The ratio of private and other public funds far surpasses the required non-federal match of at least 1:1. More than $500 million annually has been generated in matching support, illustrating why federal support for the arts is uniquely valuable. NEA funding is a critical backbone of support that leverages state and local investment in the arts. The NEA also runs deeper in rural areas than the private sector does. The NEA alone funds the arts in 678 more counties than top foundations do. This investment powers the creative economy nationwide, with 42% of NEA supported activities taking place in high-poverty neighborhoods. Moreover, NEA funded arts education programs in schools and communities have become crucial resources helping children and youth navigate an ongoing mental health crisis. We ask that you provide at least level-funding of $207 million for FY 2026. FY 2026 congressional appropriations for the NEA, are crucial as we approach America’s 250th birthday. President Trump recognized the importance of these agencies by appointing the Chair of the NEA, through executive order, to the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. The NEA has already begun implementing enhanced grant making guidelines for FY 2026 celebrations. The NEA needs congressional support to help bring these celebrations to fruition in communities across the nation. Proper funding for the NEA has been a bipartisan endeavor since the agency’s enactment, and it is in that spirit I ask that you at least fund the NEA at FY 2025 levels, $207 million, for FY 2026.