Obama Administration Releases FY2011 Budget Proposal - NEA Funding is Cut by $6 million

Today, the Obama Administration released its proposed budget for FY2011. The release of the $3.8 trillion budget follows last week's news that the president is calling for adiscretionary spending freeze at current levels for the next three years as part of his budget. (Areas of defense, homeland security, veterans, and intelligence programs are not impacted by the freeze.) With that freeze, Obama's request for discretionary dollars remains at $1.4 trillion. The administration also is proposing Congress eliminate or reduce funding for 120 programs it considers inefficient or unnecessary, for a savings of $20 billion in fiscal 2011.

The National Endowment of the Arts saw their budget reduced to $161.3 million - $6 million less than in 2010.  In addition to the decrease in NEA funding, the Arts in Education (AIE) program was consolidated with the Department of Education's new "Effective Teaching and Learning for Well-Rounded Education" program, which some fear might diminish the focus on arts in education across the country, as it is the only identified arts specific education program in the Department. 

Americans for the Arts CEO issued a statement in response to the budget proposal. "The nation's creative industries and arts workers are ready to continue to play their role in assisting with economic recovery, job training and creation, and the development of a well-rounded education that includes robust learning in the arts in order to provide workers of tomorrow with the creative and innovative skills they need today. The 5.7 million jobs and $166 billion in economic impact from the nonprofit arts sector alone hang in the balance. Further commitment from the federal government is needed to allow these groups to reach their full potential."

You can read more about President Obama's budget here - and stay tuned for more updates and ways to take action by joining our Online Action Center.