“Any attempt to dismantle the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) – by eliminating funding, reducing staff, or canceling grants – is deeply concerning, shortsighted, and detrimental to our nation. NEA grants have touched every American, supporting projects in every Congressional district and helping the arts reach parts of the country, including often overlooked rural communities."
Advocate
Stimulating Local, State, and Federal Advocacy for the Arts
Advocate Page 4-Tab
Here are the top legislative issues affecting the arts. Read about each and then take action to support their positive outcome.
Arts Education Policy and Funding
Improving Access to Arts Education for All Students
Charitable Giving & Tax Reform
Encouraging Charitable Gifts and Tax Provisions to Support Community Access to the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
Promoting Creativity and Public Access to the Arts
Artists, Entrepreneurs, and the Creative Economy
The CREATE Act and investing in the nation's workforce and creative economy
Veterans and Military Service Members
Healing Trauma Through Community Arts Engagement
Visit the Legislative Issue Center to learn about other legislation impacting the arts.
Looking for ways to take action right now? Check out these resources:
Advocacy Toolkit for Individuals and Organizations
Arts Action Fund - Join over 400,00 other citizen activists to advance the arts at the federal, state and local levels.
Federal Arts Advocacy Captains - Learn about Federal Arts Advocacy Captains and find out who the captain is for your state
House and Senate Cultural Caucuses - Find out which members of Congress have committed to support the arts with their membership on the House and Senate Cultural Caucuses
Looking for facts and figures to make your case for the arts? Check out these resources:
NEA Appropriations History through 2023
NEA Inflation and Discretionary Spending Analyses for 2023
How arts involvement supports students and lowers school dropouts
Government Funding for the Arts 2001-2023
Private Sector Giving for 2023
Sources of Revenue for Nonprofit Arts Organizations
12 Things Americans Say About the Arts
Bureau of Economics Analyses 2023 Report
The Latest News
April 10, 2026
Americans for the Arts News, Legislative News
December 11, 2025
Americans for the Arts News, Legislative News
With the government shutdown behind us, what’s the path forward for cultural agencies? AFTA's Tooshar Swain in conversation with policy expert David Reid from Brownstein breaks down what advocates need to know.
November 6, 2025
Americans for the Arts News, Legislative News
As part of the National Endowment for the Arts at 60 celebration, former NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson reflected on how the arts help us see each other’s humanity. Since then, advocates have shared personal moments through our Stories Unite Us campaign — highlighting why cultural funding matters.
October 9, 2025
Americans for the Arts News, Legislative News
This National Arts & Humanities Month, we’re celebrating the launch of the 50 Stories, 50 States campaign to show Congress why arts funding matters.
