Dance/NYC works in alliance Dance/USA, the national service organization for professional dance. 

On Friday, President Trump signed legislation that would fund the federal government for the remainder of fiscal year 2019, avoiding yet another shutdown. The spending bill funds the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) at $155 million, an amount that arts advocates have requested since the federal government saw across-the-board cuts due to sequestration in 2011.

The additional $2 million will support the NEA’s ongoing partnership with the military, providing arts programs to active-duty military and veterans. In 2018, both the Republican-led House and Senate Interior Appropriations subommittees recommended this budget, resulting in a passed budget in the House. Strong bipartisan support for the agency has resulted in budget increases for the agency in the past few years.

Last week, the NEA announced that it was awarding more than $27 million in grants to all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico, demonstrating that the agency had caught up after a 35-day government shutdown.

Dance/USA continues to advocate for the agency. As a National Partner for Arts Advocacy Day and a member of the Legislative Planning Committee that revises and updates policy asks each year, Dance/USA and arts advocates will be urging Congress to continue its bipartisan support and fund the agency at $167.5 million for FY2020. This amount aligns with the amount requested by Congress in 2010.

Thank you for your ongoing advocacy on behalf of dance and the performing arts!