House Subcommittee Proposes Eliminating Only Federal Arts Education Grant
On June 9, a subcommittee of the House Appropriations, led by Republicans, endorsed a budget plan that removes funding for the Department of Education's Assistance for Arts Education program, which supports arts initiatives for underprivileged students and those with disabilities. The proposal designates $0 for this program, initiated in 2015. Erin Harkey, CEO of Americans for the Arts, cautioned that this decision would hinder teacher training and community collaborations. The subcommittee's findings pointed to a drop in public school performance, pushing for financing of essential subjects. The overall budget proposal reduces the Department of Education's funding by 10% ($8 billion). Last year, the program received $36.5 million from Congress. The Senate will create its own budget proposals prior to finalizing the bill.
Key facts
- House Appropriations subcommittee approved budget eliminating Assistance for Arts Education on June 9
- Program is the federal government's only dedicated arts education grant
- Established in 2015 to fund arts education for disadvantaged students and children with disabilities
- Americans for the Arts CEO Erin Harkey opposed the elimination
- Subcommittee cited declining public school performance to justify cuts
- Overall Department of Education budget cut by 10% ($8 billion)
- Trump administration attempting to dismantle the Department of Education
- Last year program received $36.5 million despite similar threats
- John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts previously received millions from the program
- House also proposed cutting NEA and NEH for second year in a row
Entities
Institutions
- House Appropriations Committee
- Department of Education
- Americans for the Arts
- John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
- National Endowment for the Arts
- National Endowment for the Humanities
- Cleveland Play House
- Hyperallergic
Locations
- Washington, D.C.
- United States