AAMD advocates for funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which provide grants to art museums on a competitive basis.  In addition, the NEA administers the Federal Arts & Artifacts Indemnity program, which saves art museums millions of dollars in insurance fees.

Congress and the President determine the budgets for the three agencies on an annual basis, and AAMD collaborates with various coalitions to try to obtain the most favorable results.  Recent AAMD testimony to government agencies on NEA, NEH, and IMLS funding is available in the side bar to the right.  All three agencies also received funding for COVID relief outside of the regular process, through the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan.

Information on the cultural agencies' budgets and grant-making procedures can be found at their respective websites:

Institute for Museum and Library Services

National Endowment for the Arts

National Endowment for the Humanities

During the COVID-19 pandemic the federal government provided much more funding to AAMD members through the Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans in 2020 and “second draw” loans in 2021.  A smaller number appear to be eligible for Shuttered Venues Operators Grants from the Small Business Administration.  More information on SVOG is available here:

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/shuttered-venue-operators-grant

For more information on any of the above please contact Andy Finch afinch@aamd.org 202-638-4530.