The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government.
To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector.
46 percent of total revenue comes from admissions, contract fees, and membership services. Contributed income (from individuals, foundations, businesses, and government agencies) makes up 41 percent of all revenues. The largest share of contributed income is from individuals (20.7 percent) and the smallest are from government sources (4.3 percent).
Total annual revenue is $13.6 billion.
That is more the FOUR TIMES the annual revenue earned by "NASCAR"
“It’s clear that Americans value the arts, through the time and money they spend on the arts,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “Beyond the economic fact that the arts generate significant revenue, the arts are a shared, social activity, and that’s something that enhances the civic life of our communities.”
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit that produces the show ‘Sesame Street,’ ALONE made $46.9 million JUST IN REVENUE FROM LICENSING BIG BIRD, ELMO, THE COOKIE MONSTER AND OTHER CHARACTERS in 2011.. and that does NOT include MUSIC from the shows, etc. This money helped pay the salaries of 1,320 employees.
1,320 AMERICAN JOBS.
The contention that we "borrow from China" to support them is a lie.. in fact, this is one of the FEW Government programs that actually MAKES money..
a rare PROFIT CENTER adding REVENUE into our coffers.... and Mitt "Businessman" Romney wants to end it.
Go figure.