The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is a critical source of federal support for the performing, visual, literary and folk arts. The NEA awards more than 1,000 grants each year through direct support to organizations in addition to funding through state arts agencies. Dance companies benefit directly from NEA funding which helps to improve access to the arts and support artistic excellence.

What’s at Stake
The NEA has never fully recovered from a 40% budget cut in FY96 and as a result its programs are seriously underfunded.  Dance/USA, as a member of the Performing Arts Alliance (PAA), partners with national service organizations that deal with arts advocacy and the visual, literary and folk arts to lobby Congress each year to increase federal support for the NEA.

NEA Funding
Each year, the NEA awards grants to dance companies nationwide through its core funding programs:  Access to Artistic Excellence, Challenge America and Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth.

For more advocacy information on the National Endowment for the Arts, visit the Performing Arts Alliance.