A Call to Action for Musical Theatre Advocates
NAMT, as a member of the Cultural Advocacy Group (CAG), is joining dozens of national partners in urging Congress to protect and strengthen federal investment in the arts and humanities. These funds—through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)—are not abstract line items. They are direct investments in our communities, our theatres and the ecosystems where new musicals are born.
This summer and fall, Congress will decide the FY26 budgets for these agencies. The message we need to send is simple and urgent: maintain bipartisan support and allocate $209 million each for the NEA and NEH, and $294.8 million for IMLS. These investments keep programming accessible, affordable and alive in communities nationwide—including the developmental spaces where tomorrow’s musicals take shape.
Why it matters to NAMT members:
- They strengthen our field’s infrastructure. Federal cultural grants help NAMT member theatres bring new work to life, engage audiences and sustain operations.
- They fuel the economy. The creative industries contribute 4.2% of U.S. GDP and employ 5.4 million workers—driving growth on Main Street and beyond.
- They transform education. Students involved in the arts have better attendance, lower dropout rates and higher test scores.
- They build civic connection. Participation in the arts increases community engagement, volunteerism and voting.
- They improve health and well-being. Creative therapies are used to address trauma, chronic pain and support healthy aging.
- They preserve our stories. Federal investment safeguards cultural heritage and ensures future generations can connect to the works and traditions that define us.
What you can do now:
- Contact your members of Congress and urge them to support full FY26 funding for the NEA, NEH and IMLS.
- Share your story—how have federal cultural grants impacted your work, your artists, or your audiences? Personal connections make advocacy stick.
- Reinforce your message on social media using hashtags like #FundTheArts & #FundNewMusicals
NAMT’s collective voice is powerful—but only if it’s heard. Let’s make sure Congress knows that federal investment in the arts and humanities isn’t optional. It’s essential for a thriving, connected and forward-moving America—on our stages and in our communities.
Take action today.
NAMT thanks our national partners in this Call to Action:
4A Arts – American Alliance of Artists and Audiences
American Alliance of Museums
American Circus Alliance
Americans for the Arts
Arts Alliance Illinois
Arts Education in Maryland Schools (AEMS)
Arts North Carolina
ArtsKC – Regional Arts Council
Association of Art Museum Directors
Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP)
CA Arts Advocates
Chorus America
Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP)
Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)
Create Wisconsin
Creative Ohio
Creative West
Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon
Cultural Alliance of Maine
Dance/NYC
Dance/USA
Early Music America
Federation of State Humanities Councils
Folk Alliance International
Fractured Atlas
Inspire Washington
International Society for the Performing Arts
Kentuckians for the Arts
League of American Orchestras
LitNet
Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
Louisiana Partnership for the Arts
Mid-America Arts Alliance
National Alliance for Musical Theatre
National Art Education Association
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
National Association for Music Education
National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER)
National Guild for Community Arts Education
National Performance Network
New England Foundation for the Arts
OPERA America
PEN America
Performing Arts Venues Alliance (PAVA)
South Arts
South Carolina Arts Alliance
Texans for the Arts
Theatre Communications Group
Vermont Creative Network
Willamette University