Looking out from behind a band at the large street festival audience

Impact

The National Endowment for the Arts has a tremendous impact on the arts and culture of the United States. Since its start in 1965, the agency has awarded more than $5.5 billion to bring the arts to communities across this land. Below you can find some specific areas where the agency has had a large impact, or find your state and see highlights from the artworks we have supported there. 

Find the Arts Endowment Impact in Your State or Region!

The National Endowment for the Arts supports arts organizations and artists in every Congressional district in the country. From grants to community arts organizations to honorific awards in jazz and the folk and traditional arts to fellowships for creative writers and translators, the Arts Endowment has an impact in every state and territory.

Find NEA-funded projects in your state, information on regional arts organizations and state arts agencies, fact sheets on NEA activities in each state, and more.
Find your state or region
Men and women in white outfits on stage dancing to percussion from drummers at the edge of the stage
cover of Why We Engage
Research

Research on the arts and its impact on and value to American communities.
Large indoor drum circle of men and women with a small child in the middle on the floor m
Arts and Health

Improving health and well-being through the arts. 
seven women signing a scene in the play Spring Awakening
Accessibility

Making the arts accessible for all populations.
Aerial view of a multicoled plaza in an urban setting
Creative Placemaking

Strengthening communities with arts at the core.
A woman sits behind a desk signing books with a crowd of people around her.
Literary Arts

Celebrating the literary arts as an essential reflection of our nation.
Multi-colored indoor visual projection installation taking up an entire gallery space
Media Arts

Supporting the dynamic, diverse, and evolving nature of the media arts field.
Young girl working on a painting under the guidance of her teacher
Arts Education

Ensuring every student has the opportunity for arts education.
Native American hoop dancer in full costume performing on stage
Native Arts and Culture

Carrying out strategic outreach to Native communities and artists. 
Close up of a group of college age african american students posing for a group picture
Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Partnering with the White House Initiative on HBCUs to further our outreach.
A group of men and women sit around a round table listening to one person at the table speak.
Convenings

Providing national leadership through convenings on the arts. 
Table of conference attendees brainstorming
Disaster Readiness & Recovery for the Arts and Culture Sector

The NEA has a long history of responding to natural disasters and national emergencies.
Cubist multi-colored representation of a speeding train
Arts & Artifacts Indemnity Program

Indemnifying against loss or damage for eligible artworks and artifacts.