US House Appropriations Committee Proposes Cutting Department of Education’s Only Arts Grant Program
The US House Appropriations Committee, chaired by Republican Tom Cole of Oklahoma, advanced a budget proposal that could eliminate funding for the Department of Education’s Assistance for Arts Education program, the department’s only arts grant. Americans for the Arts CEO Erin Harkey said ending the program would reduce support for teacher professional development, accessible arts education programming, community partnerships, and outreach. Established in 2015, the program has awarded millions in grants, including for initiatives serving disadvantaged students and children with disabilities, and Americans for the Arts has advocated for $40 million in funding. Hyperallergic reported the program received $36.5 million in the final congressional budget despite similar threats last year, and that the subsequent award cycle included “patriotic education” priorities, including an $830,000 Cleveland Play House project. The program’s future now depends on the Senate’s budget proposal and subsequent House–Senate negotiations to produce a single budget bill.
From This Briefing
This story was covered in Restitution Showdowns, Museums at Breaking Point