Your vote in local, state, and federal elections impacts the arts. Here’s how.
Have you ever wondered how your vote this November can impact the arts?
There are infinite ways that our elected officials can impact the arts and culture sector — directly and indirectly. If you’ve heard anything about arts policy, you’ve probably heard about funding changes made to arts grants programs at the local, state, or federal government levels. But it doesn’t stop there. Legislation at any level of government can impact how easy or difficult it is for artists and organizations to do their work, meet their basic economic needs, and more. Here are some examples of how your vote can impact policy that affects the arts.
Federal Government
All eyes are on federal races this year, but how do these offices impact the arts here in Southwest Pennsylvania? Every year, the President drafts, and Congress must amend and approve, a federal budget that includes several line items relevant to arts and culture. There are also a handful of pieces of federal legislation that could impact artists, arts businesses, and arts audiences in the coming years.
Federal funding for arts and culture through the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities have been highly contested in the last several years. These agencies, currently funded at $207 million each for FY24, provide grants to local arts and culture organizations directly and through our state governments. Federal education funding levels also matter when it comes to equitable arts and culture education in our schools. Title I, Title II, and Title IV funds, as well as other federal funds, can be used to provide school-based arts education and professional development as part of a “well-rounded education.” Our federal legislators have the final say each year on what these funding levels look like.
Outside of the federal budget, Congress also has the power to influence the arts and culture market by considering bills around ticketing reform, expanding small business programs for artists and arts entrepreneurs, and more.
Pennsylvania Government
This year, 25 Pennsylvania Senate seats and all seats in the PA House of Representatives are on the ballot (though not all are contested). How do these elections impact arts and culture in the Commonwealth?
State arts funding is probably the biggest area of influence for our Pennsylvania General Assembly. Did you know that funding for grants to the arts in Pennsylvania has stayed stagnant for almost 10 years? It’s true. This puts PA 33rd nationally in per capita arts funding.
The General Assembly also has the power to vote on legislation around licensure requirements for professions like music therapy, to alter or expand availability of the Pennsylvania film tax credit, and more.
Where to go for more information
- Use our website form to look up your federal and state district.
- Find a Sample Ballot for your District on Balloptedia.
- Learn more about federal arts issues and candidates on the ArtsVote section of the Arts Action Fund website.
- We recommend the following Voting Guides for more information on races in Pennsylvania and/or your district: