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NEA Funding

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) promotes creativity and public access to the arts in communities across the country through direct grants to arts organizations, state funding partnerships, and national initiatives.  NEA funding increases the capacity of orchestras to provide public access to performances, preserve great classical works, support arts education for children and adults, and nurture the creative endeavors of contemporary classical musicians, composers, and conductors.  

In the links Below, the League provides the latest information about NEA grants to orchestras, recent policy developments, and opportunities for orchestra advocates to urge Congress to restore NEA funding.

NEA Funding

NEA Funding Opportunities

Grants awarded to orchestras by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) provide critical funding for projects that increase access to music in communities nationwide. NEA funding both directly supports local projects and also spurs critical giving from other sources like private foundations, corporations, and individual contributors.

NEA Funding

Take Action: Support NEA Funding

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants awarded to orchestras, and NEA funds administered by state arts agencies, support projects that increase access to music in communities nationwide. NEA funding to orchestras also spurs critical giving from other sources like private foundations, corporations, and individual contributors.

NEA Funding News

  • Advocacy

    February 6, 2025

    New Deadlines and NEA Grant Guidance Ahead

    The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has shared an update about its FY2026 grant process, including new deadlines, plans for revised grant guidelines, and eligibility rules.

  • Advocacy

    January 30, 2025

    Latest Arts Policy Updates from D.C.

    In This Issue: New Administration, Executive Actions, and Impact on the Arts; Playing Your Part: League Webinar on Advocacy in 2025; Tax Reform Discussions Underway; and Reminder: New Form for International Guest Artist Visa Petitions

  • NEA Funding

    January 15, 2025

    FY25 NEA Grants to Orchestras

    47 orchestras are direct grant recipients of Grants for Arts Projects (GAP1) awards totaling $1,445,000 million and 14 orchestras are receiving Challenge America grants totaling $140,000, plus there are numerous orchestral- and instrument training program-related projects receiving NEA grants.

  • Advocacy

    December 17, 2024

    Urgent Year-End Policy Action and Updates

    In This Issue: Update! FTC Announces New Ticket Sales Rules and Congress Considers Action; Make Plans to Engage with Congress in 2025; Charitable Giving and Tax Reform; Act Now: How Well Do You Know Your Bow?; NEA Grant Guidelines for FY2026: Prepare Now; and International Artists Visa Assistance

  • Advocacy

    July 25, 2024

    House Defeats Brecheen Amendments, Senate Acts Next

    After supportive remarks by Interior Subcommittee Chair Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Ranking Member Chellie Pingree (D-ME) on behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the House defeated a pair of amendments offered by Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK).

  • Advocacy

    July 19, 2024

    House Amendment Would Reduce NEA Funding by 25%

    After swift subcommittee and committee passage, the full House of Representatives is expected to consider Interior funding next week, which includes the annual budget for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

  • Advocacy

    July 1, 2024

    Overtime Update, Take Action on: Ticketing, NEA Funding, Charitable Giving, and Music Education

    In This Issue: Fixing Ticketing: Your Continued Advocacy is Needed, New! Essential Tips for Travel with Musical Instruments, Latest NEA Grant Awards and Opportunities, Artificial Intelligence Policy Roadmap Released in Senate, and New Overtime Rules and Resources

  • Advocacy

    January 26, 2024

    NEA Announces First Round FY24 Grants; Hosts Arts Summit

    In This Issue: NEA to Hold Summit on Arts and Culture; NEA Grants Support Orchestral Collaborations, Celebrations, Student and Community Programming, and More; Upcoming NEA Grant Due Dates

  • NEA Funding

    January 24, 2024

    FY24 NEA Grants to Orchestras

    52 orchestras are direct grant recipients of Grants for Arts Projects (GAP), Part 1 awards totaling $1.255 million and 15 orchestras are receiving Challenge America grants totaling $150,000, plus there are a great number of orchestral- and instrument training program-related projects receiving NEA grants.

  • Advocacy

    December 13, 2023

    Year-End News on Ticketing, Arts Education, Musical Instruments Policy and More!

    In This Issue: Ticketing Legislation Advances in U.S. House and Senate; Congressional Letter Urges U.S. Secretary of Education to Improve Access to Arts Education; Prepare for FY25 NEA Grant Applications; Traveling with Ivory: Canada Announces New Permit Rules; Visa Petitions to Texas Service Center

See all NEA Funding News Items

Contact Congress

Raising your voice about key issues before Congress is essential. Contacting Congress is easy to do, and your communication with elected officials will ensure that communities nationwide continue to benefit from orchestral music.

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