National Arts News

The Institute for Education and the Arts is posting three articles from Americans for the Arts about what is happening in the arts on a national level.

Senate Committee Level Funds NEA and NEH
"The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2007 Interior Appropriations bill on June 29, 2006, keeping funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) at 2006 levels. The action contrasts with that of the House of Representatives, which gave each agency an increase of $5 million. The full Senate will consider the bill either in July or after Labor Day, and advocates are hoping to persuade the Senate to improve on the House's recommendation; the NEA needs at least $5 million in new funding to keep up with inflation and increased administrative costs. For information about NEA and NEH funding, please contact Senior Director of Government Affairs Andy Finch at afinch@artsusa.org or visit http://www.artsusa.org/get_involved/advocacy/artsaction/2006/artsaction_06.29.06.htm "



Artist Bill May Be Redrafted
"The chief senator sponsor of the bill that would allow artists to claim a full tax deduction when they donate their work to art-related charities is considering combining the bill with three other measures that would affect charitable gifts of artwork. The new combined bill would require charities to retain donated works for three years and would also change some of the rules on appraisal and valuation of gifts. Americans for the Arts would support such a bill, as would the major museum, library, and appraiser associations. For more information on tax issues, please contact Senior Director of Government Affairs Andy Finch at afinch@artsusa.org or visit http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=8258876 "


National PTA Joins Fight for Arts Education Funding
"Following a speech by Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch at the National Parent Teacher Association's (PTA) convention last month, the PTA sent a letter to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Ranking Member Tom Harkin (D-IA) that calls for full funding of the Arts in Education program at the U.S. Department of Education. The letter represents a request from nearly six million parents, teachers, students, and child advocates and is just the beginning of the PTA's ongoing effort on this issue. For more information about arts education, please contact Director of Federal Affairs Narric Rome at nrome@artsusa.org or visit http://capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=8055376"