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

Yesterday, the Trump administration released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2020, in which it proposes shutting down the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities by providing only $29 million in funding, stating that the administration “does not consider NEA activities to be core Federal responsibilities.”

This is the third year in a row that the administration has proposed eliminating the cultural agencies. It’s also the third year in a row that a bipartisan Congress has demonstrated its support for the agencies by increasing their budgets. The recently passed federal budget gave the agencies a $2 million increase for FY2019, bringing the funding of both to $155 million.

In addition to the NEA and NEH, the administration proposes:

• Eliminating the Assistance for Arts Education program at the U.S. Department of Education;
• Eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services;
• Eliminating the Corporation for Public Broadcasting;
• and Reducing funding for cultural exchanges at the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs by almost $400 million. 

Dance/USA recently served as a National Partner for Arts Advocacy Day, when more than 500 advocates visited Washington, D.C. and many of you sent e-mails urging Congress to fund the NEA at $167.5 million for FY2020. 

Continue to raise your voice and tell lawmakers about the important role of the arts in your community. 

ACT NOW!

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