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NEFA values public commitment to the arts and culture sector as vital to a just, healthy civic life and a robust democracy, and an essential leverage for private investment in the arts. We invite you to join us, as a member of the Cultural Advocacy Group, in this call to action for federal support of the cultural agencies.
Who
The Cultural Advocacy Group (CAG) is a collaborative working group of national, state, and regional arts and culture organizations working cooperatively to advance pro-arts policies at the federal level.
What
We invite America’s arts and cultural organizations, artists, audiences, advocates, and stakeholders to urgently amplify their voices in support of federal investments in the arts and humanities. Specifically, we encourage arts and humanities advocates to lend their voices to advance FY 2026 Congressional appropriations for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) during this time of unprecedented policy change. These federal agencies have earned bipartisan support from Congress and invest in America by making state and local grants available for arts and humanities programming in all communities. These investments help keep community-based arts and humanities programming available and affordable for the public.
When
All those who care about arts and humanities programming for communities across America are needed to engage in the public policy process during the months of July, August, and September as decisions about FY26 funding are made. Engagement is important, and it can be easy; find out how below.
Why
When America’s arts and cultural organizations, artists, audiences, advocates, and stakeholders raise their voices together in support of federal investments in the arts and humanities, our collective power is deepened. This summer, Congress is engaging in the critical work of appropriating budgets to meet federal policy goals, and when they do, the arts and humanities must continue to be included. It is important for members of Congress to hear your voices as they allocate appropriations for the NEA, NEH, and IMLS.
How
Use your voice in support of the arts and humanities by contacting your members of Congress. The key messages below can be used to help you shape your own message to lawmakers. Consider adding your personal story about the importance of arts and humanities programming in your community.
Key Messages for Congress:
- Continue bipartisan support to sustain and protect current funding for the NEA, NEH and IMLS. Within the Interior appropriations bill, allocate $209 million each for the NEA and NEH for FY 2026. Allocate $294.8 million for IMLS for FY 2026 within the Labor, Health and Education appropriations bill.
- The arts and cultural production boost economic productivity. They fuel a strong economy on main street and all across our nation. The creative industries account for 4.2% of the U.S. gross domestic product, and they employ 5.4 million workers. The arts and cultural production reinforce America’s leadership in the global economy too, as cultural exports represent a $36.8 billion trade surplus.
- The arts and humanities improve education outcomes. Students who study them have better attendance, lower dropout rates, and higher scores on standardized math and reading tests.
- The arts and humanities foster civic cohesion. People who participate in the arts and humanities are more likely to be engaged within their communities; they’re more likely to vote, be volunteers and be civically engaged in a variety of ways.
- The arts and humanities facilitate good health. The arts and humanities are used in many clinical settings to help address physical and mental health conditions. Active Duty members of the military and Veterans count on creative therapies to successfully reduce symptoms of traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress, and chronic pain. Creative aging programs help older adults live healthier lives.
- The arts and humanities preserve our cherished heritage and traditions. They foster a shared sense of place, where people want to live, work, and raise families. They help instill community pride and preserve our traditions for future generations.
Contact your member of Congress:
After reaching out to Congress, please consider reinforcing your messages online. When you do so, use any or all of the following hashtags:
- #BipARTisan
- #LOCALandVOCALforARTS
- #FundTheArts
The following organizations support this Call to Action:
4A Arts - American Alliance of Artists and Audiences
American Alliance of Museums
American Circus Alliance
Americans for the Arts
Arts Alliance Illinois
Arts Education in Maryland Schools (AEMS)
Arts North Carolina
ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council
Association of Art Museum Directors
Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP)
CA Arts Advocates
Chorus America
Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP)
Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)
Create Wisconsin
Creative Ohio
Creative West
Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon
Cultural Alliance of Maine
Dance/NYC
Dance/USA
Early Music America
Federation of State Humanities Councils
Folk Alliance International
Fractured Atlas
Inspire Washington
International Society for the Performing Arts
Kentuckians for the Arts
League of American Orchestras
LitNet
Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
Louisiana Partnership for the Arts
Mid-America Arts Alliance
National Alliance for Musical Theatre
National Art Education Association
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
National Association for Music Education
National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER)
National Guild for Community Arts Education
National Performance Network
New England Foundation for the Arts
OPERA America
PEN America
Performing Arts Venues Alliance (PAVA)
South Arts
South Carolina Arts Alliance
Texans for the Arts
Theatre Communications Group
Vermont Creative Network
Willamette University
Contact: Ann Wicks | 617-423-1390