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From: Americans for the Arts <advocacy@artsusa.org>
Date: June 14, 2011 5:05:14 PM CDT
To: Stephen Kuusisto <stephen-kuusisto@uiowa.edu>
Subject: U.S. House Prepares to Eliminate Arts Education
Reply-To: Americans for the Arts <advocacy@artsusa.org>
June 14, 2011
Dear Stephen:
Last month, a piece of federal legislation named “Setting New Priorities in Education Spending Act” (HR 1891) was introduced for the purpose of terminating 43 existing federal education
programs, including Arts in Education. The Arts in Education program currently funds 57 active education projects around the country, and to date has supported more than 210 competitive grants serving students in high-need schools, as well as the affiliates
of the Kennedy Center and VSA arts education programs.
The Arts in Education program also provides critical federal leadership in supporting a well-rounded curriculum throughout our nation’s public schools.
On May 25, the House Education & Workforce Committee approved HR 1891 by a party-line vote of 23 Republicans to 16 Democrats. Americans for the Arts worked with Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) and
other members of that committee who offered an amendment that sought to restore some of these education programs, including arts education, but that amendment failed to pass.
The full House of Representatives may vote on HR 1891 prior to their August Congressional Recess. The Senate education committee, however, is not expected to consider HR 1891 as Chairman
Tom Harkin (D-IA) plans on offering a separate, more comprehensive bill to reauthorize the Elementary & Secondary Education Act.
We call on arts advocates to contact their House Representative through our
customizable e-alert and request that they
oppose HR 1891 because it seeks to terminate the critical federal support directed to arts education. Don’t let this bill narrow the curriculum of our students.
Help us continue this important work by becoming an official member of the Arts Action Fund. If you are not already a member
play your part by joining the Arts Action Fund today — it's free and simple.
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