On Tuesday, May 23, 2017, the White House released its complete Fiscal Year 2018 (FY2018) budget request to Congress. The complete budget provides additional detail on the previously released FY2018 budget blueprint, which called for reductions to a range of government programs, including the elimination of federal support for the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Ultimately, the Legislative Branch determines the allocation of federal funds; these discussions and negotiations are in process and will likely continue through the Summer.
In an email sent to their members on May 23, Americans for the Arts provided a breakdown of proposed funding adjustments related to the arts and arts learning programs:
Federally Funding Arts Program/Agency | FY2016 Enacted Appropriations (in millions) |
FY2017 Enacted Appropriations (in millions) |
White House FY2018 Budget Proposal (in millions) |
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) | $148 | $150 | $29* |
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) | $148 | $150 | $42* |
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) | $230 | $231 | $23* |
Assistance for Arts Education (through the US Department of Education) |
$27 | $27 | $0 |
Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants | — | $400 | $0 |
21st Century Community Learning Centers | $1,140 | $1,190 | $0 |
Corporation for Public Broadcasting | $445 (advanced) | $445 (advanced) | $30* |
Office of Museum Services | $31 | $32 | $0 |
Save America’s Treasures | $0 | $5 | $0 |
Educations & Cultural Exchange (US Department of State) |
$590 | $634 | $285 |
Smithsonian Institution | $840 | $863 | $947 |
US Holocaust Memorial Museum | $54 | $57 | $54 |
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts | $36 | $36 | $36.7 |
Commission of Fine Arts | $2.65 | $2.8 | $2.6 |
National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs | $2 | $2 | $0 |
National Gallery of Art | $148 | $155.5 | $147 |
* Represents minimum allocation “for expenses necessary to carry out their closure.”
Following the release of the budget blueprint in March, our Executive Director Robert Booker reminded Arizonans of the role they have to play in the Federal budget process:
“This is not the final word; this is the beginning of a conversation. We encourage Arizonans to be active and enthusiastic participants in this dialogue.”
For additional information on how you can participate, visit http://azarts.gov/about-us/why-it-matters/advocacy-resources/
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