6 April 2026

The President’s FY2027 budget proposal once again calls for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and other federal arts and culture funding. 

 

Action Alert: Write your member of Congress and encourage them to support federal arts funding >>

On Friday, the White House submitted a FY2027 budget proposal to Congress that once again includes elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and key federal funding streams that support arts education. The budget proposal includes minimal funding for these three agencies to facilitate their closure and outstanding obligations. It also eliminates Every Student Succeeds Act funding that supports arts education — specifically Title II-A (professional development), Title IV-A (student support), Title IV-B (21st Century Learning Centers) and the Assistance for Arts Education grant program.

  • As always, please remember that this is just the first step in the appropriations process and similar proposals have been made it in previous Executive Budgets. While the President’s Budget is a list of recommendations, Congress ultimately retains the power of the purse. Despite calls for elimination last year, Congress maintained level funding for arts and culture with bi-partisan support.

Take Action

Now is a great time to reach out to your Senators and House member to remind them that federal funding for arts and culture is essential to South Carolinians, and encourage them to continue their support for these agencies during the appropriations process. This ready made email campaign makes it easy!

Crafting Your Message

  • Be respectful. The arts must remain a bi-partisan, consensus benefit to all — not a wedge issue.
  • Maximize communication. If you send an email, follow up with a phone call — and vice versa.
  • Tell a personal story. Members of Congress need to know about the real impact that federal arts funding has had in their communities — past, present, and future. Remember that the South Carolina Arts Commission is support by an annual NEA grant, which is then leveraged with State funds to reach all 46 counties in South Carolina!
  • The new Strategic Arts Messaging Guide from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies is particularly helpful.

More resources