Statement of The Creative Coalition on the release of
President Trump’s budget regarding funding
for the National Endowment for the Arts
February 12, 2018 (Washington, DC) – Once again, President Trump proposed to eliminate funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in his annual budget request to Congress. The Creative Coalition strongly rejects the President’s call to end federal funding for the NEA and calls on the bipartisan supporters of the arts in Congress to make funding of the arts a priority again this year.
“Last year, our Right to Bear Arts™ was heard, and we were successful in fighting for funding in the federal budget for the arts. This year, we must once again prevent draconian funding cuts for the NEA from becoming a devastating reality, “said Tim Daly, President of The Creative Coalition. “The NEA funds arts projects in every congressional district in the United States and is at the core of what makes our nation great. We must work together to make sure the NEA is funded again this year.”
“The Creative Coalition will continue to fight for the Right to Bear Arts™ in the wake of the President’s shortsighted budget recommendation to once again eliminate funding for the National Endowment for the Arts,” stated Robin Bronk CEO of The Creative Coalition. “Congress recognized the value of the arts by resoundingly rejecting the call to eliminate funding last year. Members of Congress realize funding for NEA is a prudent investment of federal resources. It means more arts therapy for wounded warriors, more arts in schools to benefit students and more access to the arts in high poverty neighborhoods, rural areas and other underserved communities.”
When the Administration proposed eliminating funding for the NEA last year, which represents 0.004 percent of the federal budget, The Creative Coalition mobilized a successful grassroots movement, “the Right to Bear Arts,™” to advocate for survival of federal arts programs. This effort continues today to ensure proper funding for the arts continues in our country. Forty percent of NEA-supported activities take place in high poverty neighborhoods, and every dollar invested by the federal government in the NEA leverages $7 from other sources.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
David O’Brien, CRAFT | Media/Digital
dobrien@craftdc.com
215-750-8617