Update on NEA Funding

Kentuckians for the Arts thanks the 113 Kentucky organizations and 815 individuals who joined us in support for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) by signing on to our letter to Kentucky's national Congressional delegation. KFTA Board Chair Lori Meadows delivered the letter as part of Americans for the Arts' recent Arts Advocacy Legislative Fly-in.

Here's an update on the federal funding situation:

In working on proposed FY'26 appropriations, the House has proposed reduced funding levels of $135 million each for the NEA and the National Endowment for the Arts.

However, on July 24, the Senate Interior Appropriations Committee officially included funding of $207 million for both NEA and NEH in its appropriations bill -- maintaining the funding level of the previous budget appropriation. 

What happens next?

In September, following the August Congressional recess, both the House and Senate FY’26 Interior Appropriations bills will go to the floors of their respective chambers for the entire body to vote on the bills. There may be floor amendments to cut funding to the cultural agencies. The White House has recommended elimination of NEA and NEH funding.

KFTA will alert you when and how to take action to encourage your House and Senate members to Vote NO on any amendments that would cut funding and to encourage them to retain the full funding for NEA and NEH in the FY'26 bill appropriations.

If Congress does not complete its legislative work on the FY’26 appropriations bills by the end of the federal government’s fiscal year on September 30, 2025, then Congress will have to pass a temporary Continuing Resolution to keep the federal government funded at FY’25 levels for a short term.

KFTA STATEMENT ON NEA FUNDING:

The arts are a vital part of our state’s heritage, economy, and community life. NEA funding supports Kentucky arts programs and projects through direct grants to community organizations as well as by providing statewide funding through the Kentucky Arts Council. The impact of this funding improves the lives of Kentuckians in many ways, supporting programs for children, activities that improve the wellbeing of veterans and seniors, and public artworks and performances. The NEA support would be very difficult to replace.

The NEA was created 60 years ago because lawmakers recognized that every American, regardless of their age, background, location, or income, deserves the opportunity to discover their own creativity, and to experience the artistic expressions of others. The NEA has always efficiently used its small portion of the federal budget to implement this purpose, and for that reason has received continuous bipartisan funding. 

As Kentucky’s statewide arts advocacy organization, Kentuckians for the Arts will be working in the days ahead to preserve NEA funding and capacity. We urge Kentuckians to contact Senators McConnell and Paul and Kentucky’s U.S. Representatives to let them know that Kentucky communities need them to continue bipartisan commitment to funding in the FY'26 appropriations bill.