South Arts’ mission is to enhance Southern vitality through the arts. We believe that public support is essential to a healthy and thriving sector and region and invite you to participate in the following call to action from the Cultural Advocacy Group for Federal support. Additionally, we encourage you to connect with organizations that work in your home state to advocate for public support. See this helpful list from our friends at Americans for the Arts for more information about getting involved at the state level.
WHO
The Cultural Advocacy Group (CAG) is a collaborative working group of national, state, and regional arts and culture organizations working cooperatively to advance pro-arts policies at the federal level.
WHAT
We invite America’s arts and cultural organizations, artists, audiences, advocates and stakeholders to urgently amplify their voices in support of federal investments in the arts and humanities. Specifically, we encourage arts and humanities advocates to lend their voices to advance FY 2026 Congressional appropriations for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) during this time of unprecedented policy change. These federal agencies have earned bipartisan support from Congress, and invest in America by making state and local grants available for arts and humanities programming in all communities. These investments help keep community based arts and humanities programming available and affordable for the public.
WHEN
All those who care about arts and humanities programming for communities across America are needed to engage in the public policy process during the months of AUGUST and SEPTEMBER as decisions about FY26 funding are made. Engagement is important, and it can be easy; find out how below.
WHY
When America’s arts and cultural organizations, artists, audiences, advocates and stakeholders raise their voices together in support of federal investments in the arts and humanities, our collective power is deepened. This summer Congress is engaging in the critical work of appropriating budgets to meet federal policy goals, and when they do, the arts and humanities must continue to be included. It is important for members of Congress to hear your voices as they allocate appropriations for the NEA, NEH and IMLS.
HOW
Use your voice in support of the arts and humanities by contacting your members of Congress. The key messages below can be used to help you shape your own message to lawmakers. Consider adding your personal story about the importance of arts and humanities programming in your community.
Key Messages for Congress:
Continue bipartisan support to sustain and protect current funding for the NEA, NEH and IMLS. Within the Interior appropriations bill, allocate $209 million each for the NEA and NEH for FY 2026. Allocate $294.8 million for IMLS for FY 2026 within the Labor, Health and Education appropriations bill.
The arts and cultural production boost economic productivity. They fuel a strong economy on main street and all across our nation. The creative industries account for 4.2% of the U.S. gross domestic product, and they employ 5.4 million workers. The arts and cultural production reinforce America’s leadership in the global economy too, as cultural exports represent a $36.8 billion trade surplus.
The arts and humanities improve education outcomes. Students who study them have better attendance, lower dropout rates, and higher scores on standardized math and reading tests.
The arts and humanities foster civic cohesion. People who participate in the arts and humanities are more likely to be engaged within their communities; they’re more likely to vote, be volunteers and be civically engaged in a variety of ways.
The arts and humanities facilitate good health. The arts and humanities are used in many clinical settings to help address physical and mental health conditions. Active Duty members of the military and Veterans count on creative therapies to successfully reduce symptoms of traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress, and chronic pain. Creative aging programs help older adults live healthier lives.
The arts and humanities preserve our cherished heritage and traditions. They foster a shared sense of place, where people want to live, work, and raise families. They help instill community pride and preserve our traditions for future generations.
Where to contact your member of Congress:
After reaching out to Congress, please consider reinforcing your messages online. When you do so, use any or all of the following hashtags:
#BipARTisan
#LOCALandVOCALforARTS
#FundTheArts
PLEASE NOTE
The following organizations support this Call to Action:
- 4A Arts - American Alliance of Artists and Audiences
- American Alliance of Museums
- American Circus Alliance
- Americans for the Arts
- Arts Alliance Illinois
- Arts Education in Maryland Schools (AEMS)
- Arts North Carolina
- ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council
- Association of Art Museum Directors
- Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP)
- CA Arts Advocates
- Chorus America
- Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP)
- Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)
- Create Wisconsin
- Creative Ohio
- Creative West
- Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon
- Cultural Alliance of Maine
- Dance/NYC
- Dance/USA
- Early Music America
- Federation of State Humanities Councils
- Folk Alliance International
- Fractured Atlas
- Inspire Washington
- International Society for the Performing Arts
- Kentuckians for the Arts
- League of American Orchestras
- LitNet
- Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
- Louisiana Partnership for the Arts
- Mid-America Arts Alliance
- National Alliance for Musical Theatre
- National Art Education Association
- National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
- National Association for Music Education
- National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER)
- National Guild for Community Arts Education
- National Performance Network
- New England Foundation for the Arts
- OPERA America
- PEN America
- Performing Arts Venues Alliance (PAVA)
- South Arts
- South Carolina Arts Alliance
- Texans for the Arts
- Theatre Communications Group
- Vermont Creative Network
- Willamette University