Please take a moment to thank Governor Murphy for appropriating $31.9 million in the New Jersey State Budget for FY24, and ask your state legislators to support this level of annual state funding. The budget also contains a modest $2.2 million increase for the NJ Cultural Trust.

ArtPride NJ continues to advocate for recovery funds through the American Rescue Plan. S2800/A4233 will provide the support needed to sustain post pandemic recovery. Your communication now will remind our elected officials how important state funds are for arts and culture are to communities throughout New Jersey.

The U.S. Congress is currently considering seven bills that will support the creative industries in recovery. Many offer ways for federal agencies to expand services and opportunities to benefit individual artists and cultural organizations.

Together, these bills map a new, more equitable and impactful policy landscape for creative businesses and workers and, if passed, would improve the lives of all Americans by expanding opportunity for creative workers and boosting the U.S. economy.

Please ask your member of Congress to cosponsor any or all of these bills.