A bi-partisan congressional budget deal was reached that includes $146,255,000 in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. This represents a cut of almost 6% from last year's NEA funding level of $155 million, though this $146 million funding level is in line with the Obama Administration's budget request for the agency. Importantly, the final number is higher than the $135 million approved by the House of Representatives earlier this year. The budget deal also provides $146,255,000 for the National Endowment for the Humanities.

While The Creative Coalition and other arts advocates have supported increased funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, maintaining a strong bi-partisan commitment to federal arts funding in these challenging economic times is an important victory. Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill have worked together this year to support the arts and defeat efforts to cut -- or even eliminate -- federal support for the arts. For that, we are grateful.

For more information on the focus and work of the Creative Coalition, please see:  http://thecreativecoalition.org/