Terell Stafford and Jeff Clayton perform at the annual NEA Jazz Masters awards, January 12, 2007.
Bryan Bedder
/
Getty Images
The White House released a budget on Thursday and, as previously reported, the plan proposes massive cuts to many federal agencies, as well as the complete elimination of smaller agencies and programs. In addition to doing away with Meals On Wheels, and other programs that help low-income Americans, the budget would defund over 60 government agencies, including the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
In response to the Trump budget proposal, The Recording Academy president Neil Portnow issued a statement, calling the cuts "alarming," and said that he would ask Congress to retain the NEA's funding. Read the full statement below.
"Love of music and the arts brings us together, and celebrates the richness of American culture and our spirit of curiosity and creativity. Music and art serve as one of America’s greatest exports, and support jobs for creators in cities, towns and rural areas across the country. The White House proposal to eliminate funding for the National Endowment for the Arts is shortsighted and alarming. The modest support that we provide to music and the arts is returned many times over, whether measured in jobs and economic impact, or sheer cultural enrichment and introspection. The Recording Academy will ask Congress to maintain funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and renew our commitment to America’s creators.”
Neil Portnow
President/CEO
The Recording Academy