Today, the Obama Administration released its FY 2017 budget request to Congress—the last of his Administration. The request includes a proposed $2 million increase, to $150 million, for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This proposed increase continues a welcomed funding climb, but falls short of the needs of the 95,000 nonprofit arts organizations and state and local arts agencies across the country.
“The Administration's proposed $2 million increase for the NEA in the FY 2017 budget request continues efforts to strengthen the agency. Although still falling short, it helps turn the corner on some sharp cuts made in previous years, and comes on the heels of an important funding increase made by Congress last year—impacting state and local arts agencies in every community," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. " I am also pleased to see advances in this budget recognizing the arts as a strategy to improving high-need schools and attention to 21st century workforce skills.”
The budget request includes numerous education proposals as well, including funds to implement the new Every Student Succeeds Act that the President signed into law in December, and $500 million for a new block grant program which, “can support expanding STEM opportunities and the arts…” through its focus on providing a well-rounded education.
The budget proposal includes $5.5 billion in funds aimed to connect youth ages 16-24 with their first jobs, including summer learning, apprenticeships, and community partnerships to help students most at risk of dropping out of high school. Early childhood education and supporting high-need students through Title I and a reduction in excessive testing are all included in the funding proposal as well.
According to
Ready to Innovate, a collaboration between The Conference Board, Americans for the Arts, and the American Association of School Administrators, 85 percent of employers can’t find the creative applicants they seek—one of the top 3 personality traits most important to career success. Lynch continued, “I am hopeful these investments will spur greater opportunities for the arts to help students succeed in school, work, and life.”
The Administration's FY 2017 request also proposes dedicated funding for the Assistance for Arts Education program, which is newly authorized in the Every Student Succeeds Act signed into law in December. Because of advocates, and despite past consolidation plans, the program continues to survive intense funding challenges and ultimately wins congressional support annually as a distinct grant competition.
Make your voice heard on March 7-8 on Capitol Hill with Americans for the Arts!
Arts Advocacy Day is hosted by Americans for the Arts in partnership with over 85 national arts organizations. The largest gathering of its kind, it brings together grassroots advocates from across the country to meet with their members of Congress to garner support for issues like arts education policy, the charitable tax deduction, and funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.
