Legislative Advocacy 2026
Legislative Advocacy 2026
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WE NEED YOUR VOICE FOR THE ARTS!
Governor Mike Kehoe delivered his second annual State of the State address this week, laying out his budget and legislative priorities for the year. The speech covered a range of policy areas, including state spending, tax reductions, government efficiency, and public safety. Click here for more information courtesy of Missouri Citizens of the Arts.
Budget: Governor Kehoe said the state needs to return to leaner budget years to avoid a potential future shortfall of $2 billion. His SFY 2027 Executive Budget reduces $600 million GR from the core for existing programs. He asked Legislators to offset any additions to the budget, or the new spending could risk a veto or withhold.
The Arts did not escape the Governor’s recommended cuts. For the Missouri Arts Council (MAC) and all of the Cultural Partners (Humanities, Public Broadcasting, Libraries and Historic Preservation) the Governor recommended significant reductions.
For MAC, he recommended $6,393,846, for Fiscal Year 2027. This is down from the $10.1 million core funding that MAC has received the last two years.
MCA needs your voice to help advocate to restore these cuts.
If not, MAC’s program grants will be substantially decreased.
UPCOMING COMMITTEE HEARING: On Thursday, January 22, at 8:15am, the Lieutenant Governor Wassinger will present MAC’s budget to the House Budget Committee. Please join MCA and MAAE to advocate to restore the $10.1 million budget for MAC by contacting your State Representative and State Senator. Also, we ask at this time, if your State Representative serves on the House Budget Committee, to reach out to them prior to Thursday, to urge their support for arts funding in their Community. View House Budget Committee Members here.
Join MAAE and MCA at the Capitol February 2-6, 2026
Join MAAE and MCA at the Capitol February 2-6, 2026
Join us at the Missouri State Capitol as we raise our voices for the arts!
Arts Advocacy Day kicks off at 10 AM on February 4th in the Truman State Office Building — don’t miss this inspiring day of connection, creativity, and collective action!
Support Federal Funding Impacting Arts Education- FY 2026
NEA Letter Sent by MAAE,
MAEA, and STAM
(Link will force you to make a copy)
US Department of Education Program Transfers
Federal Funding for Arts Education is At Risk
Click for More Information
The Arts Education Alliance is sounding the alarm over the Trump Administration’s recent decision to move several major U.S. Department of Education (ED) programs to other federal agencies through six new interagency agreements. Shifting these core responsibilities away from the nation’s primary education agency undermines stable, equitable access to learning opportunities for students across the country.
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.
The Missouri Alliance for Arts Education Legislative Watch Team meets weekly during the legislative session and carefully reviews legislation filed to determine the potential impact on arts education, arts educators and students of the arts. Find below the legislation under review within the current year.
Bill #
click link for bill textSponsor
Description
MAAE Response
Other bills we are monitoring include
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