Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How much state, federal and local funding is appropriated to the arts?

Answer: Three key sources of government support for the arts in the United States are federal appropriations to the National Endowment for the Arts, legislative appropriations to state arts agencies, and direct expenditures on the arts through county and municipal governments. Combined, these three funding streams account for $1.23 billion in public support for the arts in 2006–an amount equivalent to $4.11 per capita. Aggregate public funding for the arts reached a high point of $1.35 billion in 2001. Since that time, however, all three levels of government have faced resource shortfalls that have forced spending cutbacks. Government arts support at all levels has also been challenged to keep pace with the cost of living. Despite recent increases in federal, state and local arts funding, only state arts agency appropriations currently exceed 1992 funding levels when adjusted for inflation.

For More Information: Additional details on state and federal funding over time is available from the NASAA office. Call 202-347-6352 and speak with Emily Ellis or Kelly Barsdate. Estimates of county and municipal arts allocations are available from Americans for the Arts.

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