By Dennis Powell, e-Management

What do you really know about the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)? Well, the NEA is not a charity or nonprofit. Believe it or not, it’s actually a government agency. Throughout its history, the NEA has come under fire. Some have said government should stay out of the arts. Others have asserted the NEA has not protected artistic freedom. The NEA has also been criticized for being too political and for having associations with controversial artists including Andres Serrano and Robert Mapplethorpe.

Are You Surprised?
The drama around NEA’s mission should be expected. Think about it. The arts are often very controversial and future generations frequently find value in art, which was initially rejected by the public, law makers, or even artists of the day. Today, art is a vital component to American society, according to the Americans for the Arts. That organization’s research provides evidence that art improves the health of hospital patients and grows the economy. In 2011 alone, the U.S. had an art trade surplus of $47 billion. Plus, arts organizations employed more than 3 million people. Perhaps, these are the reasons why the NEA is playing some role in strengthening “the creative capacity of our communities by providing all Americans with diverse opportunities for arts participation.”

Take a look at a few ways the NEA is promoting the arts in our communities…

• Funding Diverse Art Projects: What institutions are getting NEA funding?  Well, the Nashville Ballet, Synetic Theater, Inc. (Arlington, Virginia), and even the NYU School of Medicine are organizations that receive funds from NEA to support dance, theater, and musical projects. NEA funding of the Juneau Jazz & Classics, Inc. helped to support concerts, workshops, and educational/cultural events, which were attended by more than 9,000—3,500 of whom were children. The Omaha Theater Company in Nebraska has received funding to produce a play centered on bullying. The play is expected to be viewed by more than 10,000 youths.
• Promoting Arts Education: The Americans for the Arts research links art education with overall academic performance among students. The NEA has a plethora of initiatives that advance education. For instance, the NEA works with the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and other organizations, on the Arts Education Partnership (AEP). The goal of AED is to promote how art improves school, communities, and the learning experience of students.
• Helping to Increase Arts Giving Outside of Government Dollars: Since its inception in 1965, the NEA has awarded more than $5 billion in grants “to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities throughout this country.” The agency’s overall budget is relatively small. As a matter of fact, NEA appropriations has actually stagnated in recent years. The budget for 2014 was the same as 2012, roughly $146 million. It was lower in fiscal year 2013. Still, even with budget restraints, NEA helps to generate more than a half billion dollars in matching support from non-governmental entities. According to the agency’s Appropriation Request for Fiscal Year 2015, the NEA direct grant–making program generates matching funding at a ratio of 9 to 1!

What Do You Think?
The NEA envisions the United States to be “a nation in which every American benefits from arts engagement, and every community recognizes and celebrates its aspirations and achievements through the arts.” (1) Do you think the NEA is positioned to help individuals and organizations realize this vision? (2) Do you think NEA deserves more, less, or the same level of funding from the government? (3) How important do you think art is to any nation? OPTIONAL: (4) Should any government be in the “business” of funding art creation or development?