Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2019 Interior Appropriations Bill, and in it approved $155 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), an increase of $2.2 million over the current funding level. The Creative Coalition is also pleased that House members resoundingly voted down an amendment by a vote of 114-297 that would have slashed NEA funding by 15 percent. 

This bipartisan victory for the Arts will ensure all Americans, especially those in rural and underserved communities, maintain the #RightToBearArts.

“The Arts are of tremendous benefit to underserved communities of the United States,” said actor and President of The Creative Coalition, Tim Daly. “Access to the arts has been proven to drive economic development, define American culture, and empower our children.”

Robin Bronk, CEO of The Creative Coalition, added, “We thank Congress for acknowledging statistics that show investment in the arts is a wise decision because of their contribution to our culture, our communities and our economy.”

Next week, the full Senate is expected to vote on its version of the Fiscal Year 2019 Interior Appropriations Bill which also funds the NEA at $155 million. After that, the final steps are for the two bills to be reconciled and sent to the President for his signature.