press room

For Immediate Release

02/06/2006

Contact:
Beth Olsen
Goodman Media for Americans for the Arts
212.576.2700 ext. 243 or bolsen@goodmanmedia.com


Americans for the Arts Responds to the Administration’s FY 2007 Arts and Culture Funding Recommendations

Washington, DC — February 6, 2006 — Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch gave the following statement on the release of the President’s budget for FY 2007:

“The Administration’s recommendations significantly underfund the arts, with the welcome exception of an increase in museum grants.  Rather than zeroing out the Department of Education’s arts education programs, President Bush should ask for an increase. His State of the Union address recognized that we need to prepare a 21st-century workforce by fostering talent and creativity.  While his American Competitiveness Initiative would substantially increase investments in math and science education, we also believe that one of the best ways to nurture creativity is to have children learn and actively participate in the arts.  Studies show that students who participate in the arts are not only more likely to participate in a math and science fair but also out-perform their peers on the SATs by 87 points.

“The President should also increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts to strengthen the creation, preservation, and presentation of the arts in America through the NEA’s core grants programs.  I am especially concerned that his budget substantially reduces dedicated funding for the NEA’s Challenge America program, which provides access to the arts in underserved areas and reaches communities not previously served by the NEA.  In large part through Challenge America, the NEA directly funded projects in over 99 percent of all Congressional districts in 2004, up from about 75 percent in previous years. 

“Finally, the President has proposed a cut to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, although Republicans and Democrats in Congress decisively rejected cuts just last year.  Indeed, they have also consistently chosen to fund arts education and Challenge America, despite the President’s proposals to under-fund or eliminate these important programs.  I am confident that they will do so again, and that they will provide the President’s requested increase for the Institute of Museum and Library Services.”

The nonprofit arts industry generates $134 billion in economic activity annually for the U.S. economy, supports 4.85 million full-time jobs, and returns $10.5 billion in income tax revenue back to the Federal government.

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 45 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.