Response to Funding Passed by Senate Appropriations Committee Today
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 24, 2025) – Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill that includes funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The Creative Coalition is pleased that the bill provides $207 million for the NEA, consistent with current funding levels. The House Appropriations Committee approved its version of the bill on June 22. It cut funding to $135 million for the National Endowment for the Arts. That funding level is $72 million or 36 percent below current levels and would severely damage the arts economy and communities across the country.
“Exposure to the arts produces countless positive outcomes, from improving academic performance to mitigating mental illness to developing economic opportunity,” said Tim Daly, President of The Creative Coalition. “Funding for the arts is an undeniably good investment in America’s future.”
“The Creative Coalition knows that the fight for National Endowment for the Arts funding is far from over,” said Robin Bronk, CEO of The Creative Coalition. “So, we will continue to highlight the reality that the arts have an overwhelmingly positive effect on America’s cultural heritage, social cohesion, and economic might.”
The House of Representatives adjourned on July 23 and will return to session on September 2. The Senate will remain working through next week, returning the same day. The two chambers will work over the coming months on a final funding level for Fiscal Year 2026 for the National Endowment for the Arts. The Creative Coalition is advocating for the Senate Appropriations Committee’s $207 million funding level. That level of funding will empower arts organizations to take the lead and amplify the innumerable benefits brought by the arts to communities across the country.
The Creative Coalition recently released a stirring public service announcement starring Iain Armitage (“Young Sheldon”) and written by Emmy-nominated television visionary Bill Prady (“The Big Bang Theory”). The PSA is a timely and impassioned call to protect one of the pillars of American greatness: our nation’s commitment to the arts. Our voices, our stories, and our art are what make America strong, resilient, and proud, and maintaining current funding for the National Endowment for the Arts is vital to celebrating our nation’s rich history and promoting economic prosperity in communities across the nation.
About The Creative Coalition
The Creative Coalition is the premier nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization of the arts and entertainment industry. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, the organization is committed to educating artists and leaders on issues of public importance. Tim Daly serves as President. Through award-winning initiatives such as the #RightToBearArts campaign, The Creative Coalition leverages the power of the arts to drive social impact and inspire civic engagement. Learn more at thecreativecoalition.org.
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