Advocate

Threats to Free Artistic Expression

Jul 17, 2023

The 2023 State Legislative Session saw over 45 pieces of legislation in 18 states being introduced to regulate drag performances with several becoming law. Check out Americans for the Arts’ Threats to Free Artistic Expression Web Page where we track, link to other resources and provide context to the various pieces of legislation as it impacts the creative sector.

Right: Veranda L’Ni reads to families at the Cleveland Chapter of Drag Story Hour’s performance at the Near West Theatre.

A person sits in a red chair on a stage holding a book. They are in a purple dress with golden hair.
Photo: Amber Patrick, Near West Theatre.
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Here are the top legislative issues affecting the arts. Read about each and then take action to support their positive outcome.

Arts Education Policy and Funding
Improving Access to Arts Education for All Students

Charitable Giving & Tax Reform
Encouraging Charitable Gifts and Tax Provisions to Support Community Access to the Arts

National Endowment for the Arts
Promoting Creativity and Public Access to the Arts

Artists, Entrepreneurs, and the Creative Economy
The CREATE Act and investing in the nation's workforce and creative economy

Veterans and Military Service Members
Healing Trauma Through Community Arts Engagement

Visit the Legislative Issue Center to learn about other legislation impacting the arts.

Want to advocate for the arts but don't know where to start?

Looking for ways to take action right now? Check out these resources:

Arts Action Fund - Join over 400,00 other citizen activists to advance the arts at the federal, state and local levels.

Federal Arts Advocacy Captains - Learn about Federal Arts Advocacy Captains and find out who the captain is for your state

House and Senate Cultural Caucuses - Find out which members of Congress have committed to support the arts with their membership on the House and Senate Cultural Caucuses

The Latest News
August 3, 2023
FY24 Appropriations Update
Legislative News

The amazing Congressional outreach efforts by arts advocates last helped produce the following in the FY’24 Senate Appropriations bills passed in the full committee mark-up last week:

A glass jar is on it's side on a table. Coins are spilling out of it and are laying in front of it.
July 18, 2023
Representatives Moore and Pappas Introduce The Charitable Act to Incentivize Charitable Giving
Legislative News

Charitable giving is crucial to maintaining the health of arts throughout our country. Key findings from the 2023 Giving USA Report, released last month, showed that an estimated $499.33 billion was given to charities in 2022. This represents a decrease of 10.5%, when adjusted for inflation, from 2021 giving levels.

June 21, 2023
Congresswoman Kuster Introduces Early STEAM Achievement Act To Strengthen Early Childhood STEAM Education
Legislative News

On Tuesday, May 16th, Congresswoman Ann Kuster (D-NH-02) introduced the Early STEAM Achievement Act (H.R. 3374) which aims to strengthen STEAM education for children ages eight and under. The legislation would establish a competitive grant program within the Department of Health and Human Services to support early childhood STEAM programs and provide professional development in STEAM education for teachers. Americans for the Arts and Americans for the Arts Action Fund endorse this legislation and will continue working with arts advocates to build support among members of Congress.

A person sits in front of a blue background and US flag. They have curly dark brown hair and are smiling directly at the camera. They are dressed in a red suit jacket with pins on both lapels.
June 1, 2023
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) Re-Introduces Advancing Equity Through Arts And Humanities Act in 118th Congress
Legislative News

On Thursday, May 11, 2023, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) re-introduced the Equity Through the Arts and Humanities Act (H.R. 3239). The legislation would create a grant program through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for nonprofit and public entities, including faith-based and community organizations, that serve and are led by people of color. The program aims to support arts and humanities projects that work to dismantle systemic racism through the arts and humanities.