Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) shares hours of programming that enriches the nation through its 354 member television stations. Certain arts programs on PBS like “Great Performances” and “Independent Lens” will receive far less government funding from the NEA than usual. Last week the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) began mailing notifications to grant applicants for how much funding they could expect. Collectively, arts programs on PBS are expected to lose more than $1 million in funding effective April 25^th. A year ago the NEA distributed $4 million to applicants in the Media Arts category and about half went to PBS shows. The chart below compares funding levels from grant cycle 2011 to the expected funding levels for grant cycle 2012. 

Multiple Peabody Award winning program, “American Masters” illuminates the lives of writers, musicians, visual and performing artists, dramatist and filmmakers and averages two to five million viewers per episode. Art21, producer of “Art in the Twenty-First Century”, introduces people of all ages to contemporary art and artists. “Great Performances” in its 39^th season shows select performing arts productions around the country including opera at the Met and musical theatre on Broadway. “POV” is television’s longest-running showcase for independent non-fiction films. “Independent Lens” producers air a new independent documentary film a week.

Susan Sollins, Executive Director of Art21, said her organization would have to scramble in order to recover from the cuts. She noted financial backers tend to take their cues from the NEA when it comes to deciding what arts organizations and non-profits to support. “I don’t think it’s a fault on the NEA side,” she explained. “I think it’s a fault on the Congressional side. The NEA should be funded more amply so it could serve more people.”  350 Media Arts grant applications were submitted this year up from 150 a year ago, but funding for the NEA itself did not grow substantially. With your support Americans for the Arts Action Fund will continue to advocate for increased arts funding for the NEA. Join today! Imagine what can be accomplished with a member base of 1 Million Citizen Activists!