Statement from The Creative Coalition on the Fiscal Year 2017 Omnibus Appropriations Bill
The Creative Coalition is pleased that Congress recognized the importance of the Right to Bear Arts for all Americans by increasing National Endowment for the Arts funding by nearly $2 million in the fiscal year 2017 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. The Bill is expected to be passed later this week and then signed into law by the President.
Last week, members of The Creative Coalition had the opportunity to speak directly with policy makers about the benefits of public funding for the arts and the many contributions of the arts to American society as part of the organization’s annual Arts Day.
Actor and President of The Creative Coalition Tim Daly said, “Thank you Congressional leaders in the House and Senate for defending the Right to Bear Arts by increasing public funding for the arts. Creativity is like a muscle and the arts are like a gym for that muscle. Increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts will allow more people to exercise that muscle and develop the creative thinking skills necessary to foster the next generation of American ingenuity and innovation.”
Robin Bronk, CEO of The Creative Coalition, added, “We are encouraged by the news that NEA funding will see a modest increase in 2017. It’s a hopeful signal that defending federal funding for the arts is a bi-partisan step in acknowledging that the arts are vital to a strong citizenry, but also it is a strong affirmation to arts funding as a vigorous economic driver. We encourage all voters to be let their elected representatives know that funding the NEA is an important step toward encouraging a robust and dynamic citizenry of leaders.”
About The Creative Coalition (www.TheCreativeCoalition.org) The Creative Coalition is the premier nonprofit, 501(c)(3) nonpartisan charity of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating its members on issues of public importance. The Creative Coalition uses the power and platform of the arts and entertainment communities in award-winning public service campaigns. Actor Tim Daly serves as the organization’s president.
About The Right To Bear Arts™ Begun by The Creative Coalition, #TheRightToBearArts™ campaign raises public awareness about and encourages civic education in favor of maintaining federal funding for the creative arts, including through the National Endowment for the Arts. Too often, stripping arts funding from the federal budget is proposed as a quick and easy way to reduce government spending, but this is bad public policy. Funding for the arts represents a miniscule yet worthwhile percentage of the Federal budget. Americans of all political views are united by their love for the arts, whether in their cinemas, on their televisions, or through the music they enjoy. No government that weakens the arts can strengthen America.
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