Federal Funding for the National Endowment for the Arts

Federal support for the arts stimulates economic growth, creates jobs and fosters community development, guaranteeing that every citizen has access to experience the arts. Its significance to the public, the field and our membership makes increased federal funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) the highest legislative priority for Arts Presenters.

The NEA is essential to sustain and advance the arts industry and its funding is a direct investment in the economic vitality of every American community. By recent estimates, for every NEA dollar invested, there is an additional $8 generated in the local economy.

The non-profit arts industry supports 4.9 million full-time domestic jobs, returns $10.5 billion to the federal government in income taxes and generates $24.4 billion in federal, state and local government revenues annually. By comparison, federal, state and local governments collectively spend less than $3 billion on support for the arts, an 8-to-1 return.

Federal funding of the arts ensures broad access for all citizens. Forty percent of NEA program dollars are granted to state arts agencies, ensuring that every state can access these federal funds. These grants serve as a catalyst and are coupled with state appropriations and local funding to strengthen states' arts infrastructures.

Issue Brief

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