Americans for the Arts Applauds NEA Distribution of 50 Million in Recovery Funds

Today the National Endowment for the Arts announced 631 local arts groups have received direct grants totaling $29,775,000 as part of the American Economic Recovery & Reinvestment Act. These funds are part of a $50 million federal stimulus package being allocated by the NEA in support of job recovery programs for nonprofit and local and state public arts agencies.

"In just five short months since the passage of the economic recovery bill, the NEA enacted a plan that quickly and efficiently distributed $50 million to reach nonprofit arts businesses in every corner of America. Many jobs will be saved and arts programs will continue on as a result of these much-needed funds. The tireless advocacy efforts of our nation's arts community has truly paid off," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts.

"The recession has placed great stress on nonprofit arts groups across the country, with diminished funding opportunities bringing about staff layoffs and programmatic cuts. NEA recovery funds will help minimize the risk of thousands of arts workers losing their jobs by supporting a variety of jobs employed by nonprofit arts organizations, from dancers and curators to bookkeepers and carpenters," stated Lynch.

Americans for the Arts' advocacy and advertising campaign entitled "The Arts=Jobs" was initiated in January to urge the White House and Congress to include funding for the arts in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A grassroots network of more than 100,000 arts advocates and local, state, and national arts partners have sent more than 85,000 messages to their members of Congress this year. An additional 15,500 letters and blog entries have been written and sent by advocates to local and online media in order to educate the general public about the very real role of the arts in the economy and what's at risk.

A list of direct grants awarded to organizations by the NEA through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is available at www.arts.gov.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of 49 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.