The funding that makes it possible for artists to do their work comes from a variety of sources that can be affected by the law at the federal, state, and local levels. In addition to the types of policy tools discussed on this page, artists who are now selling shares in their projects would also need to abide by contract law.
Government Support for the Arts
While funding from the National Endowment for the Arts is the most familiar technique used by the U.S. government to provide support for the arts, other types of policy tools are also used, many discussed elsewhere on this site.
This piece provides an overview of the range of policy tools in use by the federal government.
Center for Arts and Culture, hosted by the Center for the Arts, George Mason University [www.culturalpolicy.org]
Bruce Seaman/National Investment in the Arts
An overview of the constitutional and statutory foundations for government support for the arts.
National Endowment for the Arts [www.nea.gov]
Julie Van Camp/Government Support for Cultural Activities
The First Amendment only applies where there is “state action,” meaning a government (national or state) is involved in the regulation or activity of concern. National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding thus can raise First Amendment issues. This piece discusses how the NEA approaches constitutional issues when it comes to making funding decisions.
National Endowment for the Arts [www.nea.gov]
Julie Van Camp/Government Funding and the First Amendment
A comprehensive study of the treatment of free speech in arts funding policies at the state and local levels. Pages 4-5 of the report offer an executive summary of its findings.
The Free Expression Policy Project, Brennan Center for Justice, NYU School of Law [www.fepproject.org]
Free Expression Policy Project/Free Expression in Arts Funding
One tool that a state or municipal government can use to generate funds for the arts is to include tax charities on income tax forms.
Americans for the Arts [www.americansforthearts.org]
Janne G. Gallagher/When Local Governments Come Calling: The Movement to Tax Charities and its Implications for the arts
Combined Public and Private Funding
Arts organizations and those who think about arts funding on behalf of communities generally consider mixes of public sector and private sector funding. A second reason to consider private and public sources of funding together is that in many circumstances what private entities can do – or are encouraged to do – responds to incentives and opportunities generated by governmental entities.
The report from Clinton’s presidential commission on the future of funding for the arts in the 21st century.
Americans for the Arts [www.americansforthearts.org]
Dian Magie/Arts Funding into the 21st Century
An analysis of the variety of ways that communities around the country are blending public and private support for the arts.
Americans for the Arts [www.americansforthearts.org]
Randy I. Cohen & Margaret Jane Wyszomirski/National and Local Profiles of Cultural Support: Executive Summary
A report highlighting possible public and private funding that are often overlooked.
National Assembly of Local Arts Agencies [www.nasaa-arts.org]
Dian Magie & Nina Ozlu/Overview: Untapped Public and Private Funding Sources for the Arts
Venture philanthropy is a private sector source of funding for the arts that increases or decreases in response to changes in tax laws.
Americans for the Arts [www.americansforthearts.org]
Jane Culbert & Thomas Wolf/Will Venture Philanthropy Revolutionize the Arts?
Techniques used by state and municipal governments around the U.S. to ßencourage inclusion of public art in private development projects.
Americans for the Arts [www.americansforthearts.org]
Bill Flood/Public Art in Private Development: A Guide for Local Arts Agencies and Municipalities
Private Support for the Arts
Arts & Science Council of Charlotte/Mecklenburg, North Carolina/Americans for the Arts [www.americansforthearts.org]
Robert Bush/United Arts Funds: Meeting the Challenge of Increased Private Sector Support for theå Arts