press room

For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C.—February 3, 2004—President Bush released his Administration’s FY2005 budget with a recommended total increase of $55 million to the nation’s cultural agencies—the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  This budget marks the first time that the Bush Administration has proposed a substantial increase for all three federal agencies in the same fiscal year.

Upon reading the budget,

“The arts and cultural community has much to be encouraged about with the release of the Administration’s budget today.  We are pleased that President Bush has recognized the value of our nation’s cultural agencies by recommending a total of $55 million for new grants, special initiatives, and programs.  If approved by Congress, the NEA’s budget would increase by $18 million, for a total of $139 million.” 

“While this total falls below the agency’s funding levels of more than two decades ago, it represents a very sound investment.  A recent study by Americans for the Arts demonstrates that the nonprofit arts industry alone generates $134 billion in economic activity every year. The financial return on government’s investment in the nonprofit arts is more than eight times the investment—annually.  Increasing public investment in the arts is the right direction for the economy and the state of our country.”

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of more than 40 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.