The Easel

Critics of the NEA often say its funding is welfare for rich, liberal elites. They’re wrong.

The draft US budget eliminates funding for the key arts agency, the NEA. Some agree because the arts enjoy substantial private sector support and because NEA disbursements favour the rich. But NEA grant offers are often needed to unlock private support. Further, its grants are spread widely: “about 40% [to] programs in high-poverty neighborhoods and 36% … aimed at underserved populations”. More culture wars.