Americans for the Arts gives US budget verdict

IFACCA/Artshub, 07 February 2005
USA

The United States announced its budget for 2006 on the seventh of February, and Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch has issued a response. The budget, whilst not overwhelmingly positive for the American arts industry, is not as dire as some predicted. During a time when significant programs are suffering from major budget cuts, President Bush recommended that funding remain level for both the National Endowment for the Arts (at $121 million) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (which stays at $138 million). The President also requested a $4 million increase for the Museum Services Act, a part of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. However, the President recommended zero funding for the Arts in Education Programs through the U.S. Department of Education. Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch said the following in a statement released that same day. 'We appreciate the Administration’s ongoing support and funding for the arts and culture in America. However, we are somewhat disappointed in the Administration’s budget recommendations for the NEA [National Endowment for the Arts] and NEH [National Endowment of the Humanities], considering the President requested significant increases just last year. Of particular concern this year is a proposed redistribution of $6.5 million that would result in a 30 percent cut in the longstanding and Congressionally-popular NEA Challenge America program.' 'The Administration’s zero-funding of the Arts in Education Programs through the Department of Education for the fifth consecutive year is disappointing in light of overwhelming evidence that these programs help create higher achieving students and have consistently been fully funded by Congress.' Lynch went on to highlight the arts industry’s contribution to the United States’ economy, where it generates a $134 billion annually and is responsible for 4.85 million full-time jobs. He highlighted the importance of the arts in education and evidence that suggests students schooled in the arts consistently outperform others in national test arenas. The cuts to the education programs and the Challenge America program were the stand-out criticisms to the new budget from an arts-industry perspective, and the focus of Lynch’s response. What kind of impact this will have remains to be seen. . Lynch finished his response by stating, 'We now call on Congress to recognise the stimulus these programs provide, as they have in years past, and make a fair investment that pays huge dividends for America’s nonprofit arts industry and America’s students.' To read the full response from Americans for the Arts, CLICK HERE.

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