Senator/Representative, The arts play a vital role in local communities and economies throughout Maryland and across our nation. Recent developments at the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) are deeply troubling as hundreds of grants for local projects have been cancelled and massive staff reductions raise questions about the ability of the agency to meet its statutory mandates. Additionally, the White House has proposed eliminating the NEA in the latest FY26 budget proposal, as well as the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which have also experienced significant grant cancellations and staff reductions in recent weeks. Please sustain and protect both funding and staffing for the National Endowment for the Arts, a highly efficient agency that offers a large return on investment and supports consensus values cherished by all American communities. I urge you to also continue decades of bipartisan support by allocating at least $209 million for the NEA in the FY2026 Interior Appropriations bill. The NEA offers a big bang for the buck. More than $500 million annually has been generated in matching support, illustrating why federal support for the arts is uniquely valuable. The arts and creative industries give America's economy a competitive edge, achieving a $36.8 billion trade surplus, adding $1.2 trillion in value to the U.S. gross domestic product, and $12.8 billion in Maryland and creating 5.4 million jobs on American soil, including 80,000 jobs for Maryland reflecting almost 3% od the states GDP. The NEA is committed to efficiency. Since inauguration the agency has proactively streamlined its grant programs, downsized the agency workforce and optimized technology. It manages a high volume of grants competitively adjudicated by citizen panels based on merit. The NEA is an important partner of the national America 250 celebration and other White House goals. All of the state arts agencies that partner with the NEA are actively engaging in America 250 planning and programming. Disruption of federal support to state agencies like the Maryland State Arts Council could weaken America 250 efforts in Maryland and across the country. The NEA supports the military, veterans, and their families through its Creative Forces program, a collaboration with the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to serve the unique and special needs of military patients and veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The NEA and state arts agencies like the Maryland State Arts Council support arts activities that boost economic productivity, improve education outcomes, foster civic cohesion, facilitate good health, and preserve our cherished heritage and traditions for future generations. These are consensus values that all Americans want for their communities and families. And as the largest public funder of the arts and a leader in arts education in the United States, the NEA reaches communities often underserved by private dollars, investing in 779 more counties than the 1,000 largest private foundations. I urge you to support sustained investment in the NEA, NHS, and IMLS and work to protect the public servants and resources committed to those agencies so they may fulfill their Congressional mandates and improve the lives of every Marylander and all Americans. Thank you for your service.

Dear Senator/Representative, The arts are an essential pillar of our communities and our economy, both in Maryland and across the United States. However, recent changes at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) are concerning. Hundreds of local grants have been canceled, and large-scale staff reductions raise significant doubts about the agency's ability to fulfill its critical responsibilities. On top of this, the White House's FY26 budget proposal calls for the elimination of the NEA, as well as the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), all of which have faced similar cuts. I urge you to continue your bipartisan support for the arts by protecting both funding and staffing for the NEA. This agency is highly effective, offering a tremendous return on investment, while supporting values that resonate with Americans of all backgrounds. Please allocate at least $209 million for the NEA in the FY2026 Interior Appropriations bill, as you have done in the past. The NEA is a wise investment. For every dollar the federal government spends, it generates over $500 million in matching support. The arts and creative industries give America a global competitive advantage, generating a $36.8 billion trade surplus, contributing $1.2 trillion to the GDP, and providing $12.8 billion in economic impact here in Maryland alone. These industries also support 5.4 million jobs nationwide, including 80,000 jobs in Maryland—almost 3% of the state’s GDP. Efficiency is a hallmark of the NEA. Since its inception, the agency has streamlined grant processes, reduced its staff, and improved technological infrastructure. It efficiently manages a large number of merit-based grants, reviewed by citizen panels that ensure fair distribution of funds. The NEA is also an important partner in national efforts like the America 250 celebration. State arts agencies like the Maryland State Arts Council are actively working on America 250 programming in partnership with the NEA. Any disruption to federal support could hinder these efforts, affecting the cultural and economic landscape of Maryland and the nation. Additionally, the NEA’s Creative Forces program provides vital support to military service members, veterans, and their families. This program, in collaboration with the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, addresses the unique challenges faced by military personnel and veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The NEA’s work extends beyond just economic growth. It supports arts programs that drive educational achievement, improve public health, foster community cohesion, and preserve the cultural legacy that defines America. The NEA is the largest public funder of the arts in the U.S., and its reach extends to 779 more counties than the 1,000 largest private foundations combined, ensuring that underserved communities have access to arts programs and resources. I ask for your continued support of the NEA, NEH, and IMLS, and for the protection of the dedicated public servants and resources that make these programs possible. Their work enhances the lives of Marylanders and all Americans, helping to shape a brighter future for our nation. Thank you for your service and your commitment to the people of Maryland. Sincerely,