Photo by: Maggie Collins Photography
Can you imagine your child not being able to watch Sesame Street? What about the artists and galleries supported by the Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts or any of these -- Meals on Wheels, heating assistance for low income people, college financial aid for low income people, nutrition for pregnant and nursing women, nutrition for kids in developing countries, after school and summer programs for kids in low income communities, emergency food assistance, efforts to revitalize public housing, and cutting programs like AmeriCorps not to mention legal services for low income households.
Every cultural aspect of our community would disappear. How does this affect us? The NEA funds a huge chunk of Latin Ballet's operation. Every year they sponsor our productions and give us the ability to be able to bring things like "NuYoRican" not only to the Richmond stage, but also to the many places we travel within the year.
“The funding specifically applies to our literary program and helps us support independent voices from across the literary spectrum—writers, publishers, editors—as well as connect them with our increasingly diverse communities here in Iowa. The bottom line: this funding is helping us to build and connect communities through culture. We think it’s important work.”
We understand that fighting for arts and culture has been an ongoing battle with our government, but this cut would call for the elimination of four independent cultural agencies — the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting — also would radically reshape the nation’s cultural infrastructure.
So many educational programs would be cut. Our children will find it difficult to be exposed to art, music, and even books. Places like the Dominion Arts Center, Richmond Ballet, VMFA and tons of educational and therapeutic arts centers would struggle to keep their doors open. Latin Ballet of Virginia would find this elimination of programming devastating.
Take Action Now!
Here's how you can help!
VISIT
https://www.votervoice.net/ARTSUSA/address to find your Representative and Senators and their telephone numbers. Make sure to contact both their DC and district offices as many times you have a better chance of speaking to someone at the district office. Tell them that President Trump’s proposed budget includes total elimination of the NEA and that you support federal funding for the arts and ask them to SAVE THE NEA.
Utilize Social Media Platforms
Post positive comments about how the arts have positively impacted your life and your community on the Facebook page of your local Representative and Senators Kaine and Warner. Take to Twitter and tweet at your Representative and Senators. Make sure to give your support for federal funding for the arts and ask them to #SAVEtheNEA.
Advocacy Tip
Keep your messaging positive and in support of the arts and remember that party affiliation does not signal support or opposition here. The National Endowment for the Arts is popular among members of Congress on both sides of the aisle.