National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector.
The Congressional Arts Caucus works to secure federal funding for the NEA every year leading up to the annual appropriations process. NEA appropriations falls under the jurisdiciton of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies.
To find out more information on the importance of federal funding for the NEA, please see this information sheet on the National Endowment for the Arts (courtesy of the Americans for the Arts).