Don’t eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts

Movement:Accountability for the Trump Administration

The Issue

Multiple news outlets say the Trump administration may soon announce plans to eliminate both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) entirely as part of a plan to curb spending. The administration plans to cut $10 trillion, nearly all of our budget’s non-discretionary spending, over the next 10 years.

The NEA and NEH account for less than .002% of our federal spending -- about 46 cents each, for every American, every year.

The NEA has been the life-blood and foundation of the arts community across our nation since 1965. They provide grants for dance, music, drama, literature, outreach education, and so much more.

The NEH offers research funding to museums, libraries, and colleges. Did you enjoy films like Ken Burn’s Civil War documentary series? That was funded by the NEH, along with 16 other Pulitzer prize winning productions.

Together, these two organizations enrich the arts in America -- giving creativity and freedom of speech a voice and continues to nurture humanity at large. These vital organizations must be spared.

Don’t allow these organizations to slip away quietly into the night. Sign this petition right now and tell Congress to save the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities and help us petition for policy that protects this valuable resources from future partisan shifts with a permanent funding mandate.

Jonathan EstabrooksPetition Starter

Media inquiries

Victory

This petition made change with 50,656 supporters!

The Issue

The NEA and NEH account for less than .002% of our federal spending -- about 46 cents each, for every American, every year.

The NEA has been the life-blood and foundation of the arts community across our nation since 1965. They provide grants for dance, music, drama, literature, outreach education, and so much more.

Jonathan EstabrooksPetition Starter

Media inquiries

Victory

This petition made change with 50,656 supporters!

Share this petition

The Decision Makers

Kirsten E. Gillibrand,

Former U.S. Senator

Responded

New York

“Thank you, Jonathan, for starting this petition. As a mom of two young sons, I share your belief that art and culture are essential to a well-rounded education that gives all our children the opportunity to succeed. Every Congressional district in America benefits from this crucial funding. Every town or city, whether large or small, has schoolchildren who need art and music education, including kids who have the potential to grow up and become the next generation of American cultural icons. But not every school has the funding needed to cover these important experiences. And every community has families who want to take their children to see what art masterpieces look like, but not every family can afford to travel far to see that art. The National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities help create more equal access, for all students, to the benefits of arts and culture programs. They give veterans a new lens to understand their experiences and reintegrate into their communities. They give local museums in small towns more resources to teach students on field trips. They fund educational programming on PBS, which is loved by children and helps them keep learning outside of school. Without the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, it would be much more difficult for anyone outside of a big city to experience the arts and humanities. We should never eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and I will do everything in my power as a Senator to stop any effort to do so. But I can’t do it alone. I encourage all of you to keep speaking out about this important issue. If art, music, drama, and the humanities matter to you, then call your representative and tell them why. Make it clear to them how cutting the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities would hurt your community, your school, or your family. Tell everyone you know to call them too. If enough of us raise our voices in defense of the arts and humanities, we can prevent these devastating cuts.”

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Former U.S. Senator

Responded