Boost for the NEA? - Art World - National Endowment for the Arts - Brief Article

Art in America, Sept, 2003 by Stephanie Cash, David Ebony

On July 17, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to increase President George W. Bush's proposed $117.48-million fiscal year 2004 allocation for the National Endowment for the Arts by $10 million. The additional funds would be directed toward the Challenge America initiative--a program created in 2001 to make the arts more available to underserved communities throughout the country.

The Senate is expected to vote on the House's decision soon, though no date has been announced. If approved, the $127.48-million total would increase the NEA's funds by approximately $11.75 million from its fiscal year 2003 budget of $115.73 million.