Congress Calls for Slashing of Federal Arts Funding The Creative Coalition Urges All Citizens to Defend Investment in the Arts
Washington, DC: The Creative Coalition calls upon the nation's citizenry to oppose cuts proposed today by the U.S. House of Representatives' Appropriations Committee.  The proposal -- which allocates $132 million to the National Endowment for the Arts in the upcoming fiscal year -- is $14 million below the current funding level, and $22 million less than the amount contained in President Obama's budget.  The National Endowment for the Arts funds non-profit arts efforts in all 50 states, including programs designed to expose children to visual arts, music, drama, and dance.  Government support for the NEA is already substantially lower than it was two decades ago.  Taking inflation into account, federal investment in the arts has been cut by half over the last twenty years.

"Today's proposed cuts are contrary to all evidence of the vital role that arts funding plays in our economy," said Robin Bronk, CEO of The Creative Coalition.  "All data shows that investing in the arts creates jobs, generates tax revenue, improves educational outcomes for our kids, and enriches our culture.  It is inconceivable that our national leaders are choosing to ignore clear evidence that a small investment in the arts pays large dividends to our country."

The Creative Coalition will call upon its Arts Corps, a volunteer program that marshals leadership from the arts and entertainment arenas to help save arts funding in the public school systems, to lead grassroots efforts to encourage arts funding support.

About The Creative Coalition

The Creative Coalition (www.TheCreativeCoalition.org) is the premiere nonprofit, 501(C)(3) nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating, mobilizing, and activating its members on issues of public importance. The Creative Coalition uses the power and platform of the arts and entertainment communities in award-winning PSA campaigns.  Actor Tim Daly serves as the organization's President.