New Bipartisan Compromise Maintains Crucial
Federal Support for the Arts
January 14, 2014 (New York, New York) – Leaders of The Creative Coalition today expressed strong support for the bipartisan federal spending accord announced by House and Senate leaders. The proposal, announced last night, would reverse automatic sequestration cuts to arts funding and keep federal support for the National Endowment for the Arts at $146 million for the current fiscal year.
“On the issue of arts funding, this is a much needed step in the right direction,” said Robin Bronk, CEO of The Creative Coalition. “While the proposal is less than we were seeking, this new bipartisan compromise rejects efforts to slash arts funding and provides vital support to non-profit arts programs in communities across the country.”
In July of last year, the House of Representatives’ Interior Appropriations Subcommittee voted to cut the NEA’s budget by 49%. This new agreement returns arts funding to pre-sequestration levels.
“New government data released last month shows that arts and cultural industries account for $504 billion of our gross domestic product, or 3.2% of our nation’s total goods and services, and employ more than two million Americans,” continued Bronk. “Given the jobs at stake, maintaining our public support for the arts efforts is the only responsible and reasonable thing to do.”
About The Creative Coalition:
The Creative Coalition (www.thecreativecoalition.org) is the premier, national, nonprofit 501(c)(3), nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating, mobilizing, and activating its members on issues of public importance. Actor Tim Daly serves as the organization’s President.
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