It’s National Arts in Education Week — and the stakes are higher than ever.
Arts education isn’t a luxury — it’s a proven driver of student achievement, creativity, and workforce readiness. But right now, that foundation is under threat. The federal funding streams that support arts education in schools nationwide face funding cuts. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) — a critical funder of arts programs across the country. The President’s FY 2027 Budget Request proposed eliminating the agency and advocacy is crucial to maintaining the NEA’s funding through Congress. And access to arts degrees, including at HBCUs, is increasingly under pressure, threatening pathways into the creative economy for the next generation of artists and leaders.
When we lose these investments, we lose more than programs — we lose opportunity, culture, and community. This National Arts in Education Week, we’re urging Congress to fully fund arts education’s five federal funding streams, save the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) from closure, and protect access to arts degrees for every student, including at HBCUs.
Take Action
Federal Arts Education Priorities
This year’s theme—Every Student, Every Community—underscores the power of collective action to show policymakers that arts education is essential, equitable, and deserves federal investment. Your voice matters.
We’re calling on Congress to support
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
- Arts Education for All Act (H.R. 2485)
- HBCU Arts Act (H.R. 2664)
- Well-Rounded Education Programs
Why this matters:
As Congress approaches the September 30 budget deadline, cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) would hit hardest in the rural and low-income communities that rely on these programs most. This nationwide campaign shows policymakers that arts education is essential for all students — from preK-12 through college — and worth federal investment.
Replay the Webinar
Hear from national and local experts and get practical guidance on advocating at the school board and state level. We shared tools, resources, and our federal agenda for both PreK-12 and higher education — championing policies that will positively impact arts education and rallying against those that will harm it.
Contact Your Representatives
Urge Congress to support the legislation that ensures all students have access to arts education.
