Legislative Updates

June 2026 The House Appropriations Committee Met to Consider the Topline for the FY27 Spending Bill

The House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Interior and Environment Appropriations Act with a 35-27 vote. The bill now moves to the House floor for debate and a vote. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) are proposed to be funded at $135 million each, a 35% cut from previous levels.

• The next step for the Fiscal Year 2027 Interior and Environment Appropriations Act is full consideration by the House of Representatives.
• After being approved by the House Appropriations Committee, the bill must be scheduled for debate, amendment, and a vote on the House floor.
• Once it passes the House floor, the legislation will move to the Senate, where its own Appropriations Committee will review and potentially amend the measure before sending it to the Senate floor.

The NEA and NEH provide vital funding for arts and culture organizations throughout New Jersey. The NEA recommends around 2,300 grants annually, benefiting every Congressional District, with most going to small- and medium-sized organizations. The NEA funds arts projects in 678 more counties than private foundations can reach.

We’re urging everyone to reach out to your Members of Congress TODAY and ask them to fund the NEA and NEH with $213 million each in FY 2027.

 Action Alert

June 2026 Update: ArtPride New Jersey Amplifies the Voice of the Arts in Communities and Policy Discussions Statewide

As New Jersey moves deeper into a busy state budget season, ArtPride New Jersey continues to stay active and visible across the state — meeting with legislators, attending community gatherings, and ensuring the nonprofit arts sector remains part of critical public conversations. Relationship-building is a key part of advocacy, and that means not only meeting in legislative offices, but also showing up in spaces where leaders from business, government, education, and community development are shaping conversations about New Jersey’s future.

Recently, Vanessa Ramalho of ArtPride New Jersey joined Kahra Buss of Perkins Center for the Arts and Mark Morgan of Moorestown Theatre Company at a breakfast event hosted by the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce and Camden County Chamber of Commerce in Cherry Hill. South Jersey arts leaders had the opportunity to connect with Tahesha Way and discuss the role of the arts in economic development, workforce development, and preparing young people for adulthood. Events like these are an important reminder that arts advocacy extends beyond arts-specific spaces. Bringing the voice of the nonprofit arts sector into broader cross-sector conversations helps connect the dots between the arts and the many public issues impacting communities statewide.

ArtPride New Jersey also recently testified before lawmakers regarding proposed New Jersey labor regulations that could significantly impact freelance work across the state. The proposed rules would tighten how independent contractors are classified under the state’s “ABC test,” raising concerns for industries that rely heavily on flexible, project-based work — including the nonprofit arts and culture sector. In its testimony, ArtPride emphasized that nonprofit arts organizations depend on freelance creative workers such as artists, musicians, teaching artists, designers, and technicians to deliver programming and serve communities statewide. The organization warned that the proposed changes could create major financial and administrative burdens for organizations already operating with limited resources, while also reducing opportunities for independent artists and creatives.

As budget negotiations continue and legislative activity intensifies, ArtPride remains committed to ensuring that lawmakers understand both the economic impact and public value of New Jersey’s nonprofit arts sector. Whether testifying on policy proposals, meeting directly with legislators, or participating in community and business events throughout the state, ArtPride continues to advocate for a strong, connected, and sustainable arts ecosystem for all New Jerseyans.

May 2026 Update: The Budget Process Moves Forward. Time to Connect with Elected Officials.

As the New Jersey Legislature moves toward its June 30 deadline to pass the FY27 State Budget, ArtPride New Jersey continues to closely monitor and advocate throughout the budget process on behalf of the nonprofit arts sector.

Governor Sherrill's proposed budget maintains level funding for the arts and preserves all legislated mandatory minimum funding levels for arts, culture, history, and tourism — an important sign of continued recognition of the sector’s value to New Jersey’s economy and communities. The proposal also moves tourism under the New Jersey Business Action Center. However, several additional arts-related line items outside of the mandatory appropriations have been eliminated, making continued advocacy especially important in the weeks ahead.

ArtPride New Jersey has been actively advocating during the budget process, with Vanessa Ramalho testifying before the Assembly Budget Committee and Adam Perle testifying before the Senate Budget Committee to reinforce the importance of sustained state investment in the arts.

The state budget process directly impacts funding for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, which supports nonprofit arts organizations across the state. While mandatory funding levels are currently maintained, it remains critical that legislators continue to hear from constituents about the importance of protecting arts funding at the legislated levels through final budget negotiations.

We encourage arts organizations, artists, and supporters to stay engaged, follow the budget process, and reach out to their state legislators to share how arts funding impacts their communities, local economies, and audiences. ArtPride New Jersey has been meeting with legislators across the state and is happy to help connect organizations with their elected officials and support advocacy outreach efforts.

Fiscal Year 2027 Federal Budget Process

The House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee proposed a 35% cut to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), funding them at $135 million each for FY 2027. This comes after President Trump's budget called for eliminating both agencies.

Key Aspects of FY27 Budget Process

• Presidential Request: Released on April 3, 2026, outlining the administration's spending priorities, including: $445 billion increase for defense, $73 billion reduction in non-defense spending
• Congressional Action: Appropriations subcommittees reviewing the proposal and drafting their own spending bills
• Timeline & Hurdles: Tight schedule to pass 12 appropriations bills by September 30, 2026, with a high likelihood of a continuing resolution (CR) to avoid shutdowns

Key Dates and Action Items

• April-June 2026: House and Senate Appropriations Committees schedule and hold hearings and subcommittee markups
• Summer 2026: Markup of spending bills and negotiations between chambers
• September 30, 2026: Current fiscal year funding expires

April 2026 Update: Budget Season Is Here And Advocacy Matters More Than Ever

New Jersey is entering a critical moment for the arts as we await the Governor’s proposed FY27 budget. Funding for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, vital to organizations across the state, will be determined in the months ahead as the budget moves through hearings and negotiations. This is a key window for advocacy, and we’ll keep you informed on what’s at stake and when to take action.

In Trenton, momentum continues with legislation to attract pre- and post-Broadway productions to New Jersey theaters and a proposal to strengthen performing arts education through a new grant program. Both signal growing recognition of the arts as an economic and educational driver.

At the federal level, the FY27 appropriations process is underway, with updates on funding for the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and Arts Education expected soon. We’re also monitoring the SAVE Act as it moves through Congress.

From state budgets to federal policy, decisions made now will shape the future of the arts in New Jersey, and your voice remains essential every step of the way.

March 2026 Update: State Budget Season Is Approaching

We are anticipating the Governor’s proposed FY budget in mid-March — the first major step in New Jersey’s annual state budget process. As a reminder, funding for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, which supports arts organizations across the state, is part of the overall state budget and must be proposed, negotiated, and approved each year.

Once the Governor’s proposal is released, the Legislature will begin committee hearings and budget negotiations that continue through June. This is a critical window for arts advocacy. We encourage you to keep an eye out for updates, review the proposed funding levels, and follow the progress of the budget as it moves through the Legislature.

ArtPride New Jersey will closely monitor developments and keep you informed about what the proposal means for the arts sector — and when your voice may be most impactful.

February 2026 Update: Arts Protection Bill and New Legislation

Over the past six months, ArtPride New Jersey has been actively advancing policies that strengthen and protect New Jersey’s nonprofit arts sector — and we’re proud to share a major win.

The Arts Funding Protection Bill (S4955/A6124) has officially been signed into law. This legislation safeguards the $31.9 million minimum appropriation for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts by clearly naming and protecting these funds in statute. In plain terms: it ensures dedicated arts funding can’t be reduced or redirected elsewhere in future budgets. This milestone reflects sustained advocacy by ArtPride New Jersey, our partners at Public Strategies Impact, and the unified voice of arts organizations across the state. Your engagement helped make the case that reliable public investment in the arts fuels economic growth, vibrant communities, and statewide quality of life.

We’re also continuing momentum on the Live Theatre Tax Credit. Originally advanced in partnership with Paper Mill Playhouse and McCarter Theatre Center, the bill incentivizes production companies to premiere and tour shows through New Jersey’s nonprofit theaters. After successfully moving through committee last session, the legislation has been reintroduced as S1660 and will begin moving through the Legislature again this year. We’ll be working to build support to get it across the finish line.

We’ll continue keeping you informed as these bills progress — and as always, your voice remains a critical part of advancing policies that help the arts sector thrive statewide.