Amongst many of the new President's decisions during his early days in office, one is to cut federal funding for the NEA (National Endowment of the Arts) and the NEH (National Endowment of the Humanities). Both groups give grants and scholarships to individuals and organizations that have exceptional proposals that will further education in the arts and humanities areas of learning. To give one notable example, Ken Burn's documentary The Civil War was funded by the NEH.
These two organizations allow for a multitude of artistic education every year through films, plays, scholarly journals and other forms of historic and artistic expression. Through these mediums, people are able to gain a respect and a knowledge for the arts. This acknowledgment of the arts and humanities is more important than ever in a time where STEM programs are considered more significant and take up more room in secondary education.
Arts and music are rapidly being cut from school budgets across the nation. US News says, "funds have been cut in more than 80 percent of U.S. school districts since 2008. The very first programs to go are often disciplines such as music, art and foreign language". This is because math and science subjects are seen as more "employable".
But what happens when children aren't learning foreign languages at a young age, and are then at a disadvantage when they want to study/work abroad? What happens to art museums that constantly ignite inspiration and a deep feeling of raw humanness? Your favorite movies that resonate with you, make you laugh, or make you cry, are all directed and produced by artists.
I can understand the argument that taxpayers don't want their money going towards these projects. But the organizations each only received $148 million (0.003 percent of the federal budget) in 2016. This is a minuscule amount of federal funding. To put it one way, if you make $50,000, and spend the equivalent amount the government spends on these organizations, it would be less than $10 (snopes.com).
This cut is blatant attack against the arts and humanities. As a journalism major, in the humanities department, and as a frequent admirer of the arts, I reject the concept that the arts and humanities aren't important. And you should too.
To voice your opposition against this decision, sign the White House petition to not defund the NEA or NEH.
