Legal Definitions - National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities

The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government. Its primary purpose is to encourage and support advancements in the humanities and the arts across the nation. It achieves this by providing foundational support to three key federal entities:

• The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which supports artistic excellence and makes art accessible to all Americans.
• The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which supports research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities.
• The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which supports the nation's museums and libraries.

Established by an act of Congress in 1965, the Foundation acts as an overarching framework that ensures these vital cultural and intellectual institutions receive the necessary federal backing to fulfill their missions.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities:

• Coordinated National Initiative: Imagine the U.S. government launches a "Cultural Heritage Preservation Initiative" aimed at digitizing historical archives, restoring significant artworks, and creating educational programs about American history. The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities would serve as the overarching federal body ensuring that the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) receives the necessary funding to support historical research and digitization projects, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) can fund the restoration of public art, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) can develop related educational programs and digital access tools for the public. Its role is to facilitate and support the coordinated efforts of these distinct agencies under a shared national goal.

• Federal Budget Allocation and Advocacy: During annual congressional budget hearings, lawmakers are reviewing federal funding for cultural and intellectual programs. The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities acts as the central entity that advocates for and manages the federal appropriations designated for the arts and humanities. It ensures that the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services collectively receive the resources needed to carry out their individual missions, presenting a unified case for the value of these sectors to the nation.

• Strategic Response to Sector-Wide Challenges: A widespread economic downturn significantly impacts cultural institutions across the country, leading to closures and job losses in museums, theaters, and libraries. The National Foundation on the Arts and and the Humanities would be the federal framework that coordinates a strategic response. It would ensure that the National Endowment for the Arts can provide emergency grants to struggling arts organizations, the National Endowment for the Humanities can support scholars and cultural workers, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services can assist libraries and museums in adapting their services and outreach. The Foundation's structure allows for a comprehensive, multi-faceted federal approach to support the resilience of the entire cultural and intellectual landscape.