WASHINGTON D.C. – Leaders from the United States arts sector converged on Capitol Hill this week, advocating directly to members of Congress for increased federal funding. The gathering, held March 3-4, 2025, brought together arts industry representatives from across the nation in partnership with Americans for the Arts and its dedicated advocacy affiliate, the Arts Action Fund.
The central message delivered to lawmakers emphasized the vital role of arts and culture not merely as a cultural enrichment but as a substantial economic engine and a critical catalyst for community development nationwide. This targeted advocacy comes at a pivotal moment as Congress is actively considering the funding levels for fiscal year 2025 for key federal cultural agencies, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and others.
Highlighting the Economic Power of Arts
A cornerstone of the advocates’ presentation was the robust data on the economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture sector. According to the comprehensive Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study, conducted by Americans for the Arts, the sector generated a staggering $151.7 billion in economic activity across the United United States in 2022. This activity encompasses expenditures by arts and cultural organizations themselves, as well as the event-related spending by their audiences, such as dining, transportation, and retail purchases.
Beyond the significant financial output, the AEP6 study also highlighted the sector’s substantial contribution to the national workforce, supporting a remarkable 2.6 million jobs nationwide during the same period. Advocates argued that this proven economic contribution underscores the justification for increased federal investment, positioning arts funding not as an expense but as a strategic investment in job creation and economic vitality.
Federal Investment vs. Economic Return
The current level of federal investment in the arts, primarily through the National Endowment for the Arts, stands at approximately 62 cents per person. Arts leaders stressed that this relatively modest per capita investment yields a disproportionately large return in terms of economic activity and employment. They posited that increasing this funding level would amplify the positive economic effects documented by studies like AEP6, stimulating further growth in communities large and small.
Strong Public Support Cited
The push for increased funding is reportedly bolstered by significant public support for the arts across the country. Advocacy materials shared on Capitol Hill cited public opinion data indicating broad favorability for federal investment in the sector.
Key findings presented included:
* 54% of Americans support increased federal arts funding.
* A substantial 92% agree that every student deserves a quality arts education.
* 79% believe that arts and culture are important for supporting local economies and jobs.
Significantly, this support is portrayed as transcending partisan lines, with reported favorability among Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike, suggesting a potentially broad base for congressional action.
Direct Appeals to Legislators
The March 3-4 convening provided arts industry leaders with the opportunity to engage directly with members of Congress and their staff. These meetings involved presenting the economic data, sharing constituent stories about the impact of the arts in their local communities, and explaining how federal funding supports programs ranging from arts education initiatives to community-based cultural projects.
The advocates’ message focused on demonstrating how federal funds serve as crucial seed money that leverages significant private and local investment, extending the reach and impact of arts programming across the nation. They underscored the critical role of the NEA and NEH in providing grants that reach underserved communities and support a diverse array of artistic disciplines.
Looking Ahead to FY2025
As appropriators in Congress deliberate on funding levels for the upcoming fiscal year, the timing of the arts advocates’ visit is particularly strategic. The goal is to ensure that the economic contributions and broad public support for the arts are top of mind for lawmakers as they make decisions that will affect the operational capacity of the NEA, NEH, and other cultural agencies.
Arts advocates expressed optimism that presenting clear, data-driven arguments about the sector’s economic power and widespread public approval would resonate with legislators and lead to a more robust federal commitment to the arts in FY2025 and beyond. The convergence on Capitol Hill served as a concentrated effort to translate national data and public sentiment into concrete policy support for the arts sector.
