Support funding for the Arts through the NEA
The arts mean jobs! The nonprofit arts industry generates $166.2 billion annually in economic activity, supports 5.7 million full-time equivalent jobs in the arts and related industries, and returns $12.6 billion in federal income taxes. Measured against direct federal cultural spending of about $1.4 billion, that's a return of nearly nine to one.
Grants through the NEA are widely distributed to strengthen arts infrastructures and ensure broad access to the arts. In addition, the NEA distributes 40 percent of its program dollars to state arts agencies, on the condition that each state devotes its own appropriated funds as well. In partnership with the NEA, state arts agencies awarded 23,000 grants to 17,500 organizations, schools, and artists in nearly 5,000 communities across the United States.
Federal funding for the arts leverages private funding. The NEA requires at least a one-to-one match of federal funds from all grant recipients—a match far exceeded by most grantees. On average, each NEA grant leverages at least seven dollars from other state, local, and private sources. Private support cannot match the leveraging role of government cultural funding.
Why is this important?
The arts are a vital part of our society, and economy. Congress should stop slashing arts funding, and sustain or increase crucial funding for the NEA. Most NEA spending gets matched by state and private donations at the local level - therefore federal cuts have a dramatic impact on programs. Artists are on the front lines of creating new products, services and--jobs!
