June 15, 2004

Take Action on NEA Funding!

The U.S. House of Representatives will begin consideration of the FY 2005 Interior Appropriations bill this week, possibly as early as Wednesday evening. Funding for the NEA and NEH is provided through the Interior Appropriations bill.

According to Americans for the Arts, during floor debate, Members of the Congressional Arts Caucus will offer a bipartisan amendment to increase NEA and NEH funding, as they have done successfully each of the past four years. The amendment will be sponsored jointly by Reps. Louise Slaughter (NY) and Norm Dicks (WA) for the Democrats, and Christopher Shays (CT) and Jim Leach (IA) for the Republicans. The amendment will likely seek an additional $15 million for the NEA and $5 million for the NEH. If this amendment is not passed, the NEA will be flat-funded at last year's level of just over $120 million.

Contact your Representatives now and urge them to support the NEA. Last year's amendment passed by a narrow vote of 225-200, and this year's vote is expected to be just as close. It is imperative that your Representative hear from as many arts advocates as possible.

Use our Online Arts Advocacy Center to send an electronic message.

You can send a message tailored to how your House member voted on last year's Congressional Arts Caucus Amendment. In other words, if your Member voted Against increased NEA funding last year, we'll automatically supply you with talking points which encourage them to support the amendment this year; if your Member voted For increased funding last year, your talking points will thank them for their previous efforts and encourage them to support the Arts Caucus Amendment again this year. Follow this link to contact your Representative and urge them to vote for the Congressional Arts Caucus Amendment!

It only takes two minutes……and it will have enormous impact.

The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations has a 29-year history as New York’s service association for arts and cultural organizations. The Alliance provides leadership and vision, and delivers services, resources and tools that strengthen cultural organizations. The Alliance informs the field on statewide and national issues affecting the arts and assists local arts agencies in building community support.

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Mattituck, NY 11952-0096
Phone (631) 298-1234 / Fax (631) 298-1101