From Americans for the Arts

President Bush today sent his FY 2009 budget request to Congress, beginning the yearly appropriations process for, among many things, the nation’s cultural agencies and programs, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Office of Museum Services (OMS), Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), and the Department of Education’s Arts in Education programs. Because drastic cuts are being proposed for some key arts programs, we urge you to write your Members of Congress and tell them to reject the President's budget cuts.

On the heels of signing the largest Congressionally-initiated funding increase for the arts in 28 years, President Bush has proposed a senseless $16.3 million cut for FY 2009 for the NEA—from $144.7 million to $128.4 million. After three years of minimal, but incremental, funding growth, we are surprised to see an attempt to erase this progress.

For the eighth consecutive year, the President’s budget has eliminated funding for the Department of Education’s Arts in Education programs, which include funding for model arts programs and collaborations with schools, teacher professional development, and arts programs for at-risk youth. Arts literacy is as central to an educated citizenry as are reading, math, and science. The Administration needs to understand the role of arts education in developing an innovative and creative society.

Also, the FY 2009 budget request calls for a rescission of $200 million in already-approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). As a trusted community resource, CPB uses the power of noncommercial television and radio to enrich the lives of all Americans through quality programs and education services.

The President also asked for a slight cut to the NEH, from $144.7 to $144.3 million. Finally, and on a positive note, the President requested a funding boost of over $8 million for the Office of Museum Services, bringing the amount of funding available for grants to almost $40 million. A breakdown of the President’s budget request is as follows:



Federally Funded Arts Program
FY08 Enacted
Appropriations
(in millions)
FY09 President’s
Budget Request
(in millions)

National Endowment for the Arts
$144.7
$128.4

National Endowment for the Humanities
$144.7
$143.0

Office of Museum Services within IMLS
$31.3
$39.9

U.S. Dept. of Education’s Arts in Ed
$35.3
$0

Corporation for Public Broadcasting
$400.0
$200.0

Next Steps

As you know, the President’s budget is the first step in the appropriations process. While it serves as an important framework, Congress has the power to set its own priorities and change these funding levels. That’s where you come in.

Arts advocates can make their voices heard by writing their Members of Congress and urging them to increase funding for arts and culture and restore funding for arts in education programs. We have provided you with a customizable letter to send to your Members of Congress, as well as several talking points to help you craft your message. We recommend you add your own thoughts and stories about why the arts are important to you and your community. We also encourage you to join us in Washington, DC for Arts Advocacy Day 2008, March 31 - April 1, 2008. You’ll have the opportunity to visit your Members of Congress face-to-face and urge them to support the arts.

Thank you for your continued support of the arts!