On Thursday, April 28, 2022, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) introduced the Equity Through the Arts and Humanities Act (H.R. 7627). 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. 

More specifically, the program would support arts and humanities projects that work to dismantle systemic racism through the arts and humanities. “This bill acknowledges the myriad benefits of participation in the arts, especially for young people; the cultural and social significance of representation in the arts; and the systemic barriers that keep the arts out of reach in marginalized communities,” said Rep. Lee. 

Americans for the Arts has endorsed the legislation and will continue working with arts advocates to build further support for this legislation among members of Congress. Organizations can submit an endorsement for the bill via an online form. 

Learn more in the official press release from Rep. Lee’s office.