$860.0 million in funds allocated by municipal and county governments to local arts agencies (LAAs), 1 which remained flat from FY2019.$435.4 million in legislative appropriations to state and jurisdictional arts agencies (SAAs), an increase of 21% from FY2019.$162.3 million in appropriations to the NEA, an increase of 4.7% from FY2019.The federal government, states, and localities appropriated a combined $1.47 billion to the arts in FY2020, for a total per capita investment of $4.42. Together, these agencies and organizations distribute grants and services to artists and cultural organizations across the nation. Congressional allocations to the NEA, legislative appropriations to state arts agencies and local government funds going to local arts agencies reported in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 provide useful indicators of public support for the arts and culture before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Public funding for the arts in the US is allocated from federal, state, and local governments. Arts Funding Snapshot: GIA’s Annual Research on Support for Arts and Culture (1.1Mb)

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