This summer, an amendment will be introduced on the floor of the Senate that will increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts’ 2006 budget by $5 million. Many professional musicians and music organizations around the country depend on the grants from the NEA to operate. The static funding that President Bush has requested will hurt many music organizations and, more importantly, many members of the AFM. Recognizing that a well-funded NEA is important to the musical and artistic health of the country, the AFM is asking you to contact your senators and let them know that you support giving the NEA additional, and much needed, funds for its next fiscal year.

The House of Representatives has already recognized how important a well-funded arts endowment is to the country. In late May, the House passed an amendment by voice vote that will increase the NEA’s budget by $10 million over what President Bush requested. It is important that you contact your senators and let them know that the NEA is a critical resource with popular support among creative professionals in their home states.

Please send your senators a letter asking them to support the $5 million increase today. For more information on Local 802’s political campaigns, contact Heather Beaudoin at (212) 245-4802, ext. 176.