Arts Funding Reinstated to Economic Stimulus Package
Funding for the National Endowment for the Arts was included in the final version of the Economic Recovery bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives today. The NEA would receive $50 million in support to distribute directly to struggling arts groups. Americans for the Arts has estimated that for every dollar the NEA distributes to arts groups, another $7 is generated in additional support through local, state and private donations and that the $50 million could actually leverage $350 million of investment.
The funding was in serious jeopardy last week when Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) introduced an amendment to ban certain arts groups from receiving any of the recovery funds. In bipartisan wrangling, the amendment passed by a healthy margin and eliminated the possibility of a stimulus for the arts community. A grass-roots campaign led by arts advocacy groups ignited and flooded representatives with letters and phone calls.
The Senate will continue to debate the bill with a final vote set for tonight. If the bill passes the Senate tonight, President Obama will be able sign it into law on Monday, President’s Day.
