Dear Representative Mike Simpson,  

As constituents supporting our district’s arts and culture community, we write to ask you include at least $209 million in the FY 2026 Interior Appropriations Subcommittee legislation for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). 

The arts and culture are cornerstones of America’s creativity, innovation, and economic strength, contributing to the vitality of our national, state, and local economies. The most recent U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Report released April 2, 2025, showed that the nation’s arts and culture sector grew to a $1.2 trillion industry, generating 5.4 million jobs in 2023. That is 4.2% of the nation’s economy—a larger share of GDP than powerhouse sectors such as Transportation and Agriculture. Internationally, America’s arts and culture industry boasts a $37 billion trade surplus.  

These statistics also demonstrate the remarkable resilience of American artists and cultural workers. The nation’s federal cultural agencies amplify this economic impact by leveraging private and public funds that far surpass the non-federal match of at least 1:1, making federal support particularly valuable. These agencies also reach deeper into rural areas than the private sector can. The NEA alone funds the arts in 779 more counties than the top 1,000 foundations do. This investment powers the creative economy nationwide, with 42% of NEA-supported activities taking place in high-poverty neighborhoods. Moreover, NEA-funded arts education programs in schools and communities have become crucial resources helping children and youth navigate an ongoing mental health crisis. The NEA is also at the forefront of the effort to build a national network of care for our injured service members, whether they are active duty or veterans, in medical treatment or transitioning back home to their bases and communities. The Creative Forces Military Healing Arts Network focuses on support for service members and veterans who have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health conditions. 

The NEH’s operations have unfortunately been drastically cut to skeleton levels by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Since April 1, DOGE has put dozens of the NEH’s staff on administrative leave, making it impossible for the agency to fulfill its statutory obligations. DOGE has also terminated more than 1,200 existing grants to organizations and individuals—including operating support grants to the state humanities councils in Idaho and across the nation, as authorized by Congress. NEH’s FY 2025 funds of $207 million were appropriated by Congress on a bipartisan basis. For example, NEH funds for Veterans have been cancelled; funds to communities recovering from national disasters have been revoked; community programs are on hold; teachers are losing access to professional development; and organizations that preserve our cultural heritage are endangered. These funds were already appropriated in the FY 2025 Continuing Resolution by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. Grantees have already made expenditures based on these awarded grants.  

 FY 2026 congressional appropriations for the NEA and NEH are crucial as we approach America’s 250th birthday. President Trump recognized the importance of these agencies by appointing the Chairs of both the NEA and NEH as well as the Director of the IMLS, by executive order, to the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. The NEA has already begun implementing enhanced grantmaking guidelines for FY 2026 celebrations. Our nation’s cultural agencies need congressional support to help bring these celebrations to fruition in communities across our district, state and the nation.  

Dear Representative Celeste Maloy,  

As constituents supporting our district’s arts and culture community, we write to ask you include at least $209 million in the FY 2026 Interior Appropriations Subcommittee legislation for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). 

The arts and culture are cornerstones of America’s creativity, innovation, and economic strength, contributing to the vitality of our national, state, and local economies. The most recent U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Report released April 2, 2025, showed that the nation’s arts and culture sector grew to a $1.2 trillion industry, generating 5.4 million jobs in 2023. That is 4.2% of the nation’s economy—a larger share of GDP than powerhouse sectors such as Transportation and Agriculture. Internationally, America’s arts and culture industry boasts a $37 billion trade surplus.  

These statistics also demonstrate the remarkable resilience of American artists and cultural workers. The nation’s federal cultural agencies amplify this economic impact by leveraging private and public funds that far surpass the non-federal match of at least 1:1, making federal support particularly valuable. These agencies also reach deeper into rural areas than the private sector can. The NEA alone funds the arts in 779 more counties than the top 1,000 foundations do. This investment powers the creative economy nationwide, with 42% of NEA-supported activities taking place in high-poverty neighborhoods. Moreover, NEA-funded arts education programs in schools and communities have become crucial resources helping children and youth navigate an ongoing mental health crisis. The NEA is also at the forefront of the effort to build a national network of care for our injured service members, whether they are active duty or veterans, in medical treatment or transitioning back home to their bases and communities. The Creative Forces Military Healing Arts Network focuses on support for service members and veterans who have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health conditions. 

The NEH’s operations have unfortunately been drastically cut to skeleton levels by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Since April 1, DOGE has put dozens of the NEH’s staff on administrative leave, making it impossible for the agency to fulfill its statutory obligations. DOGE has also terminated more than 1,200 existing grants to organizations and individuals—including operating support grants to the state humanities councils in Utah and across the nation, as authorized by Congress. NEH’s FY 2025 funds of $207 million were appropriated by Congress on a bipartisan basis. For example, NEH funds for Veterans have been cancelled; funds to communities recovering from national disasters have been revoked; community programs are on hold; teachers are losing access to professional development; and organizations that preserve our cultural heritage are endangered. These funds were already appropriated in the FY 2025 Continuing Resolution by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. Grantees have already made expenditures based on these awarded grants.  

 FY 2026 congressional appropriations for the NEA and NEH are crucial as we approach America’s 250th birthday. President Trump recognized the importance of these agencies by appointing the Chairs of both the NEA and NEH as well as the Director of the IMLS, by executive order, to the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. The NEA has already begun implementing enhanced grantmaking guidelines for FY 2026 celebrations. Our nation’s cultural agencies need congressional support to help bring these celebrations to fruition in communities across our district, state and the nation.  

Dear Representative Jake Ellzey,  

As constituents supporting our district’s arts and culture community, we write to ask you include at least $209 million in the FY 2026 Interior Appropriations Subcommittee legislation for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). 

The arts and culture are cornerstones of America’s creativity, innovation, and economic strength, contributing to the vitality of our national, state, and local economies. The most recent U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Report released April 2, 2025, showed that the nation’s arts and culture sector grew to a $1.2 trillion industry, generating 5.4 million jobs in 2023. That is 4.2% of the nation’s economy—a larger share of GDP than powerhouse sectors such as Transportation and Agriculture. Internationally, America’s arts and culture industry boasts a $37 billion trade surplus.  

These statistics also demonstrate the remarkable resilience of American artists and cultural workers. The nation’s federal cultural agencies amplify this economic impact by leveraging private and public funds that far surpass the non-federal match of at least 1:1, making federal support particularly valuable. These agencies also reach deeper into rural areas than the private sector can. The NEA alone funds the arts in 779 more counties than the top 1,000 foundations do. This investment powers the creative economy nationwide, with 42% of NEA-supported activities taking place in high-poverty neighborhoods. Moreover, NEA-funded arts education programs in schools and communities have become crucial resources helping children and youth navigate an ongoing mental health crisis. The NEA is also at the forefront of the effort to build a national network of care for our injured service members, whether they are active duty or veterans, in medical treatment or transitioning back home to their bases and communities. The Creative Forces Military Healing Arts Network focuses on support for service members and veterans who have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health conditions. 

The NEH’s operations have unfortunately been drastically cut to skeleton levels by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Since April 1, DOGE has put dozens of the NEH’s staff on administrative leave, making it impossible for the agency to fulfill its statutory obligations. DOGE has also terminated more than 1,200 existing grants to organizations and individuals—including operating support grants to the state humanities councils in Texas and across the nation, as authorized by Congress. NEH’s FY 2025 funds of $207 million were appropriated by Congress on a bipartisan basis. For example, NEH funds for Veterans have been cancelled; funds to communities recovering from national disasters have been revoked; community programs are on hold; teachers are losing access to professional development; and organizations that preserve our cultural heritage are endangered. These funds were already appropriated in the FY 2025 Continuing Resolution by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. Grantees have already made expenditures based on these awarded grants.  

 FY 2026 congressional appropriations for the NEA and NEH are crucial as we approach America’s 250th birthday. President Trump recognized the importance of these agencies by appointing the Chairs of both the NEA and NEH as well as the Director of the IMLS, by executive order, to the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. The NEA has already begun implementing enhanced grantmaking guidelines for FY 2026 celebrations. Our nation’s cultural agencies need congressional support to help bring these celebrations to fruition in communities across our district, state and the nation.  

Dear Representative Ryan Zinke,  

As constituents supporting our district’s arts and culture community, we write to ask you include at least $209 million in the FY 2026 Interior Appropriations Subcommittee legislation for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). 

The arts and culture are cornerstones of America’s creativity, innovation, and economic strength, contributing to the vitality of our national, state, and local economies. The most recent U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Report released April 2, 2025, showed that the nation’s arts and culture sector grew to a $1.2 trillion industry, generating 5.4 million jobs in 2023. That is 4.2% of the nation’s economy—a larger share of GDP than powerhouse sectors such as Transportation and Agriculture. Internationally, America’s arts and culture industry boasts a $37 billion trade surplus.  

These statistics also demonstrate the remarkable resilience of American artists and cultural workers. The nation’s federal cultural agencies amplify this economic impact by leveraging private and public funds that far surpass the non-federal match of at least 1:1, making federal support particularly valuable. These agencies also reach deeper into rural areas than the private sector can. The NEA alone funds the arts in 779 more counties than the top 1,000 foundations do. This investment powers the creative economy nationwide, with 42% of NEA-supported activities taking place in high-poverty neighborhoods. Moreover, NEA-funded arts education programs in schools and communities have become crucial resources helping children and youth navigate an ongoing mental health crisis. The NEA is also at the forefront of the effort to build a national network of care for our injured service members, whether they are active duty or veterans, in medical treatment or transitioning back home to their bases and communities. The Creative Forces Military Healing Arts Network focuses on support for service members and veterans who have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health conditions. 

The NEH’s operations have unfortunately been drastically cut to skeleton levels by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Since April 1, DOGE has put dozens of the NEH’s staff on administrative leave, making it impossible for the agency to fulfill its statutory obligations. DOGE has also terminated more than 1,200 existing grants to organizations and individuals—including operating support grants to the state humanities councils in Montana and across the nation, as authorized by Congress. NEH’s FY 2025 funds of $207 million were appropriated by Congress on a bipartisan basis. For example, NEH funds for Veterans have been cancelled; funds to communities recovering from national disasters have been revoked; community programs are on hold; teachers are losing access to professional development; and organizations that preserve our cultural heritage are endangered. These funds were already appropriated in the FY 2025 Continuing Resolution by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. Grantees have already made expenditures based on these awarded grants.  

 FY 2026 congressional appropriations for the NEA and NEH are crucial as we approach America’s 250th birthday. President Trump recognized the importance of these agencies by appointing the Chairs of both the NEA and NEH as well as the Director of the IMLS, by executive order, to the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. The NEA has already begun implementing enhanced grantmaking guidelines for FY 2026 celebrations. Our nation’s cultural agencies need congressional support to help bring these celebrations to fruition in communities across our district, state and the nation.  

Dear Representative Guy Reschenthaler,  

As constituents supporting our district’s arts and culture community, we write to ask you include at least $209 million in the FY 2026 Interior Appropriations Subcommittee legislation for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). 

The arts and culture are cornerstones of America’s creativity, innovation, and economic strength, contributing to the vitality of our national, state, and local economies. The most recent U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Report released April 2, 2025, showed that the nation’s arts and culture sector grew to a $1.2 trillion industry, generating 5.4 million jobs in 2023. That is 4.2% of the nation’s economy—a larger share of GDP than powerhouse sectors such as Transportation and Agriculture. Internationally, America’s arts and culture industry boasts a $37 billion trade surplus.  

These statistics also demonstrate the remarkable resilience of American artists and cultural workers. The nation’s federal cultural agencies amplify this economic impact by leveraging private and public funds that far surpass the non-federal match of at least 1:1, making federal support particularly valuable. These agencies also reach deeper into rural areas than the private sector can. The NEA alone funds the arts in 779 more counties than the top 1,000 foundations do. This investment powers the creative economy nationwide, with 42% of NEA-supported activities taking place in high-poverty neighborhoods. Moreover, NEA-funded arts education programs in schools and communities have become crucial resources helping children and youth navigate an ongoing mental health crisis. The NEA is also at the forefront of the effort to build a national network of care for our injured service members, whether they are active duty or veterans, in medical treatment or transitioning back home to their bases and communities. The Creative Forces Military Healing Arts Network focuses on support for service members and veterans who have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health conditions. 

The NEH’s operations have unfortunately been drastically cut to skeleton levels by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Since April 1, DOGE has put dozens of the NEH’s staff on administrative leave, making it impossible for the agency to fulfill its statutory obligations. DOGE has also terminated more than 1,200 existing grants to organizations and individuals—including operating support grants to the state humanities councils in Pennsylvania and across the nation, as authorized by Congress. NEH’s FY 2025 funds of $207 million were appropriated by Congress on a bipartisan basis. For example, NEH funds for Veterans have been cancelled; funds to communities recovering from national disasters have been revoked; community programs are on hold; teachers are losing access to professional development; and organizations that preserve our cultural heritage are endangered. These funds were already appropriated in the FY 2025 Continuing Resolution by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. Grantees have already made expenditures based on these awarded grants.  

 FY 2026 congressional appropriations for the NEA and NEH are crucial as we approach America’s 250th birthday. President Trump recognized the importance of these agencies by appointing the Chairs of both the NEA and NEH as well as the Director of the IMLS, by executive order, to the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. The NEA has already begun implementing enhanced grantmaking guidelines for FY 2026 celebrations. Our nation’s cultural agencies need congressional support to help bring these celebrations to fruition in communities across our district, state and the nation.  

Dear Representative Mark Amodei,  

As constituents supporting our district’s arts and culture community, we write to ask you include at least $209 million in the FY 2026 Interior Appropriations Subcommittee legislation for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). 

The arts and culture are cornerstones of America’s creativity, innovation, and economic strength, contributing to the vitality of our national, state, and local economies. The most recent U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Report released April 2, 2025, showed that the nation’s arts and culture sector grew to a $1.2 trillion industry, generating 5.4 million jobs in 2023. That is 4.2% of the nation’s economy—a larger share of GDP than powerhouse sectors such as Transportation and Agriculture. Internationally, America’s arts and culture industry boasts a $37 billion trade surplus.  

These statistics also demonstrate the remarkable resilience of American artists and cultural workers. The nation’s federal cultural agencies amplify this economic impact by leveraging private and public funds that far surpass the non-federal match of at least 1:1, making federal support particularly valuable. These agencies also reach deeper into rural areas than the private sector can. The NEA alone funds the arts in 779 more counties than the top 1,000 foundations do. This investment powers the creative economy nationwide, with 42% of NEA-supported activities taking place in high-poverty neighborhoods. Moreover, NEA-funded arts education programs in schools and communities have become crucial resources helping children and youth navigate an ongoing mental health crisis. The NEA is also at the forefront of the effort to build a national network of care for our injured service members, whether they are active duty or veterans, in medical treatment or transitioning back home to their bases and communities. The Creative Forces Military Healing Arts Network focuses on support for service members and veterans who have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health conditions. 

The NEH’s operations have unfortunately been drastically cut to skeleton levels by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Since April 1, DOGE has put dozens of the NEH’s staff on administrative leave, making it impossible for the agency to fulfill its statutory obligations. DOGE has also terminated more than 1,200 existing grants to organizations and individuals—including operating support grants to the state humanities councils in Nevada and across the nation, as authorized by Congress. NEH’s FY 2025 funds of $207 million were appropriated by Congress on a bipartisan basis. For example, NEH funds for Veterans have been cancelled; funds to communities recovering from national disasters have been revoked; community programs are on hold; teachers are losing access to professional development; and organizations that preserve our cultural heritage are endangered. These funds were already appropriated in the FY 2025 Continuing Resolution by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. Grantees have already made expenditures based on these awarded grants.  

 FY 2026 congressional appropriations for the NEA and NEH are crucial as we approach America’s 250th birthday. President Trump recognized the importance of these agencies by appointing the Chairs of both the NEA and NEH as well as the Director of the IMLS, by executive order, to the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. The NEA has already begun implementing enhanced grantmaking guidelines for FY 2026 celebrations. Our nation’s cultural agencies need congressional support to help bring these celebrations to fruition in communities across our district, state and the nation.  

Dear Representative Tom Cole,  

As constituents supporting our district’s arts and culture community, we write to ask you include at least $209 million in the FY 2026 Interior Appropriations Subcommittee legislation for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). 

The arts and culture are cornerstones of America’s creativity, innovation, and economic strength, contributing to the vitality of our national, state, and local economies. The most recent U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Report released April 2, 2025, showed that the nation’s arts and culture sector grew to a $1.2 trillion industry, generating 5.4 million jobs in 2023. That is 4.2% of the nation’s economy—a larger share of GDP than powerhouse sectors such as Transportation and Agriculture. Internationally, America’s arts and culture industry boasts a $37 billion trade surplus.  

These statistics also demonstrate the remarkable resilience of American artists and cultural workers. The nation’s federal cultural agencies amplify this economic impact by leveraging private and public funds that far surpass the non-federal match of at least 1:1, making federal support particularly valuable. These agencies also reach deeper into rural areas than the private sector can. The NEA alone funds the arts in 779 more counties than the top 1,000 foundations do. This investment powers the creative economy nationwide, with 42% of NEA-supported activities taking place in high-poverty neighborhoods. Moreover, NEA-funded arts education programs in schools and communities have become crucial resources helping children and youth navigate an ongoing mental health crisis. The NEA is also at the forefront of the effort to build a national network of care for our injured service members, whether they are active duty or veterans, in medical treatment or transitioning back home to their bases and communities. The Creative Forces Military Healing Arts Network focuses on support for service members and veterans who have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health conditions. 

The NEH’s operations have unfortunately been drastically cut to skeleton levels by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Since April 1, DOGE has put dozens of the NEH’s staff on administrative leave, making it impossible for the agency to fulfill its statutory obligations. DOGE has also terminated more than 1,200 existing grants to organizations and individuals—including operating support grants to the state humanities councils in Oklahoma and across the nation, as authorized by Congress. NEH’s FY 2025 funds of $207 million were appropriated by Congress on a bipartisan basis. For example, NEH funds for Veterans have been cancelled; funds to communities recovering from national disasters have been revoked; community programs are on hold; teachers are losing access to professional development; and organizations that preserve our cultural heritage are endangered. These funds were already appropriated in the FY 2025 Continuing Resolution by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. Grantees have already made expenditures based on these awarded grants.  

 FY 2026 congressional appropriations for the NEA and NEH are crucial as we approach America’s 250th birthday. President Trump recognized the importance of these agencies by appointing the Chairs of both the NEA and NEH as well as the Director of the IMLS, by executive order, to the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. The NEA has already begun implementing enhanced grantmaking guidelines for FY 2026 celebrations. Our nation’s cultural agencies need congressional support to help bring these celebrations to fruition in communities across our district, state and the nation.