Getting the facts (and selfies) in DC

Davison (left) at Arts Advocacy Day

A few weeks ago, I was discussing federal arts funding with some boys on my dorm floor. We discuss politics all the time, but they were infuriated to learn about the existence of the National Endowment for the Arts. They believed that the arts should be exclusively funded by private donors.

Needless to say, we disagree.

As I defended my position, I realized I was desperately trying to persuade them with anecdotes about my own life. Growing up, I was profoundly impacted by the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, the Youth Symphony of Kansas City, and the Teen Advisory Group at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Now, I’m repeatedly floored by programming at the Wexner Center for the Arts. It is unbelievable how accessible the Wex is to me as an Ohio State Student. They were unconvinced. The arts mean the world to me, but I had nothing other than personal experience to justify my position.

As an undergrad student in the Department of Arts Administration, Education, and Policy, I recently had the opportunity to attend Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, DC. The annual event, created by the nonprofit organization Americans for the Arts, educates professionals and students about current arts policy issues and the National Endowment for the Arts. Attendees then join their state delegation and travel to Capitol Hill meet with their congressmen and women and advocate for specific arts policy.

Thanks to Ohio Citizens for the Arts, the Buckeye State had the largest delegation this year. I had a blast. As a freshman, it was great to be surrounded by fellow students who were engaged and passionate about the arts. We chased NEA Chairman Dr. Jane Chu through the Kennedy Center. She got on an elevator before we could take an obligatory selfie with her, but it was still cool.

After attending Arts Advocacy Day, I have a better understanding of public arts funding. Sure, policy is the the least sexy angle of the arts industry, but public funding impacts countless arts organizations across the country. Next time you’re discussing arts policy, here are some facts to wow all of your friends.

1. The current budget of the National Endowment for the Arts is $148 million, which is about $0.47 per capita.
2. 40% of NEA funds are distributed to state arts agencies. The Ohio Arts Council receives roughly $1 million from the NEA. These funds are distributed by the OAC to arts organizations, like the Wex, throughout the state. No NEA funds are used for overhead at the OAC.
3. Federal investment in the arts has a high return on investment: $1 of NEA funding leverages $10 of funding from private, corporate, and individual donors. In Ohio, $1 of federal NEA funding distributed by the Ohio Arts Council leverages $53 from state and private donors.
4. Federal and state funding supports 23,000 grants in 5,000 communities nationwide, ensuring the survival of small and large artistic organizations alike.
5. The economic impact of cultural events is $24.60 per attendee beyond the cost of tickets. This industry is specifically beneficial for local merchants, especially restaurants, shops, and hotels.
6. The cultural industry accounts for 4.32% of GDP (which is approximately $698 billion) and 4.13 million jobs in the US.
7. In Ohio, the creative industry generates $25 billion each year and supports 231,000 jobs. More than $2.8 billion in annual tax revenue is generated by the arts.

To learn more about the National Endowment for the Arts and public arts funding, head here.