MONTANA CULTURAL ADVOCACY
Arts Advocacy News
Senate Committee Approves FY 2026 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill
Senate Bill approves $207M for NEA and NEH (almost level funding to previous FY).
July 24, 2025 – Washington, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, providing support for tribal programs, National Parks, public lands, and federal efforts to suppress wildfires.
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House Appropriations Committee Proposes Deep Cut to NEA Funding
From NASAA (7/14/2025): the House Interior Appropriations Committee has released its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The legislation recommends funding the NEA at $135 million—a 35% cut from its current appropriation and a reduction of $75 million.
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7/15/25 update: the House Sub-Committee voted 8-5 to have the bill favorably reported to the full committee. Rep. Zinke was one of the YES votes
What's at stake
​Through the federal-state partnership, 40% of NEA grant funding flows directly to state and jurisdictional arts agencies and regional arts organizations, so the consequences of this cut will be significant and deeply felt.
What does this mean for Montana?
This funding, public funding, dictates who gets access.
NEA funds reach all of Montana’s 56 counties.
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Nationwide, 19% of state agency grants reach into rural areas. In Montana, 30% of MAC awards reach outside the 7 bigger communities, and an additional 14% go to statewide organizations that serve almost every town from Yaak to Alzada.
What you can do
Your legislators need to hear form you and your community leaders.
Our leaders in government need to hear from everyday Montanans who can describe how the arts and humanities are key to driving economic development, making all towns and cities good places to live and work, and make us all stronger and healthier.
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Congress needs to hear from you and your community leaders:
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Business and banking professionals
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Chamber of commerce leaders
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Business associations (realtors, healthcare providers, etc.)
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School board leaders
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Local government
The message: thank you for proposing $207 million for the NEA
Time for letters, calls, thank-yous and encouragement to all Montana’s congress members! Ask your community and Board members to tell congress members the impact of the arts in your community, and how important the NEA is to us all, especially in more rural areas.
Resources (Stats and Numbers you can use)
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MT Arts Council Grants Fact Sheet
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National Assembly of State Arts Agencies: advocacy resources
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How to contact your legislator
At this time it is imperative to contact MT Representative Ryan Zinke, as he sits on the House Appropriations Committee.