Legislative Advocacy 2026

Congress to prioritize the following in FY 2026:

• Title I, Part A—Fund at $18.67 billion to provide additional support that ensures all children meet academic standards, achieve proficiency in arts education, and improve arts education in low-achieving schools. 

• Title II, Part A—Fund at $2.19 billion to support teacher recruitment and retention and build the skills and expertise of educators and to increase the number of high-quality educators, including arts educators.

• Title IV, Part A—Fund $1.6 billion for Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants, a flexible block grant that can be used to: (1) provide students with a well-rounded education that includes the arts; (2) support safe and healthy students; and (3) enhance the effective use of technology.

• Assistance for Arts Education Program—Fund at $40 million to promote arts education for all students through professional development activities for arts educators; development and dissemination of accessible instructional materials; and community and national outreach activities that strengthen and expand partnerships among schools, districts, and centers for the arts.

• National Endowment for the Arts—Fund at $209 million to fund projects that help children and youth acquire knowledge and skills in the arts and apply the arts to learning in other subjects; and to support partnerships between arts institutions and K–12 schools and institutions of higher education.