President's Budget Proposes to Eliminate NEA: Take Action Now!

This morning, the Trump administration released its "skinny budget" blueprint for FY18 federal spending. The budget calls for eliminating funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.

Chairman Chu responded in a statement today saying that "the President's budget request is a first step in a very long budget process...At this time, the NEA continues to operate as usual and will do so until a new budget is enacted by Congress." The House and Senate will each negotiate and pass their own spending bills. They must come to agreement before sending bills to the President to be signed into law.

The blueprint also cuts funding for international cultural exchanges at the State Department--which include arts-related exchange programs--and elimination of the 21st Century Schools Program, which supports out-of-school time learning programs that often include the arts.

Your active participation in arts advocacy efforts will be more important than ever this year.

In FY18, PAA is advocating for these appropriations levels:

• $155 million for the National Endowment for the Arts
• $110 million for the Office of Citizen Exchanges
• $30 million for the Assistance for Arts Education Program

You can take action right now!

• Click the button to write or call Congress and urge members to support the NEA!

• Encourage your lawmakers to sign the "Dear Colleague" letters being circulated by the Congressional Arts Caucus and the Senate Cultural Caucus in support of FY18 NEA funding.

• Who are the non-arts partners and supporters of your work? Share this message with your allies who can speak to the impact of the arts in your communities. Urge them to contact their lawmakers and speak up for the arts as well.