I'm forwarding a message from the SC Arts Alliance for those of you who
have not yet heard the good news...

Barbara H. Gray                              Telephone:   803-953-5673
Director of Sponsored Programs       Fax:            803-953-6577
College of Charleston                       e-mail:         xxxxxx@cofc.edu
66 George Street                             http://www.cofc.edu/~osp
Charleston, SC  29424                     Location:  407-G Bell Building

The NEA is alive -- thanks to the many South Carolinians who made their
voice heard in Congress!  The House-Senate Conference Committee agreed last
night, Septmeber 30th to fund the NEA  at $98.5 million for the FY98.  This
is a victory!

The funding level of $100 million proposed by theSenate was the starting
point in the bargaining led by Sen. Slade Gorton (R-WA), with Rep. Ralph
Regular (R-OH) leading his colleagues from the House with a previous $0
funding base, to accept a $98.5 million budget with several new conditions
altering the arts agency's operations.

(1) The share of NEA funds going to states, for basic grants and
underserved
grants would increase from 35% to 40%.
(2)  Total grant dollars into each state would be capped at 15% of NEA
granting funds, with an exemption from the cap for grants with national
impact or for touring.
(3)  Three members each from the House and Senate would be added to the
National Council on the Arts, and the overall size of the council would be
reduced from 25 to 20.  Legislators would be appointed by the Republican
and
Democratic leadership in both chambers.
(4)  NEA grants would include a strong educational component, and priority
emhasis for projects reaching underserved populations.
(5)  The NEA may solicit and invest funds for support of its functions.

Appropriations for the National Endowment for the Humanities was set at the
current funding of $110 million in the final spending bill.

National Arts Advocacy/Service organizations agree that this is a positive
conclusion.  The SC Arts  Alliance has expressed its appreciation to
Senator
Ernest Hollings who served on the Conference Committee and Congressmen John
Spratt and James Clyburn for their continued support of the NEA through the
budget process.  Don't forget to let your representatives know how you feel
about their position on supporting the funding of arts and culture.