Today was the 31st annual Arts Advocacy Day: The National Arts Action Summit on Capitol Hill. More than 600 advocates from every state gathered to meet with members of Congress to encourage their support for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) as well as other legislative issues like tax policy that touch arts and culture and affect the nonprofit sector as a whole. As you may know, President Donald Trump’s proposed budget zeros out funding for the NEA, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and others, but his is not the final word. There is strong bipartisan support for the arts in Congress and the arts agenda is calling for a $5 million increase in funding. This would take the NEA budget back to $155 million—or level funding.

The NEA is the only funder in America, public or private, that supports the arts in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Every congressional district benefits from an NEA grant and much of NEA funding is administered on the state level. Even if you couldn’t be in Washington today, you can still make your voice in support of the NEA heard and take action!

Back here in Baltimore, clear your calendar for tomorrow evening and join GBCA for the first-ever Baker Performing Artist Finalists Showcase at Baltimore Theatre Project. Featured artists include Judah Adashi, Christine Ferrera, Lafayette Gilchrist, Ryan Johnson, Meshelle, Lisi Stoessel, and Von Vargas. This promises to be an amazing celebration and evening of entertainment.

I hope to see you there!

Jeannie