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April 7, 2025

Advocacy in Action: Protect Federal Funding for the Arts

By M-AAA Staff

A collage image featuring a dancer, a young girl looking at a large photograph of a bug, a historical photograph of a Black man standing on a sidewalk with a sign that reads 'I AM A MAN', a colorful mural, a white man with glasses playin an upright bass.

Federal support for arts and culture is changing quickly, and we need a strong, united response. Many organizations are actively engaged in advocacy, working to shape policy and secure funding to preserve and support the arts, history, and culture here in the heartland.

One of the best ways to make a big impact is by building strong relationships. Mid-America Arts Alliance works with many partners and advocates to help keep arts and culture a top priority in federal funding.
To help you stay informed and find helpful resources, we’re sharing important updates and tools from our partners below.

New Data on the Impact of the Arts

In 2023, the most recent year for which data are available, arts and culture again surpassed its annual value added to the US economy with $1.2 trillion, representing 4.2% of the nation’s GDP. Beyond its contributions to GDP, the arts sector has yielded a growing trade surplus for the U.S. In 2023, the total value of the nation’s arts exports was nearly $37 billion greater than the value of arts imports from other countries.

News Updates Impacting the Arts and Cultural Sector

Active Campaigns to Protect the Federal Cultural Agencies

Take Action

There is support for the arts and culture organizations on both sides of the aisle, and it’s time to call on that support again.

Here’s what you can do:

Urge your Senators and Representatives to protect funding for the arts. Every voice counts!

Call your Congressional delegation immediately if your grant has been delayed or cancelled.

Members of Congress will be in their home districts for two weeks April 13–27, periodically home for extended weekends, and for all of August. Use this guide from American Alliance of Museums and take the opportunity to invite your members of Congress to your library or museum, schedule a meeting with them in their district offices, or attend public forums that your members of Congress might be hosting.

Connect with your state’s arts advocacy group.
Here are your arts advocates in M-AAA’s six-state region of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. These groups have resources, data, and talking points to assist you in your advocacy efforts. Sign up for their newsletters, join as a member, and get engaged.

 

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