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Arts Education Advocacy Pays Off: Federal Funding Preserved for FY 2026

By Amber Friel, NAfME Communications Manager, Advocacy and Public Policy

After months of intense advocacy and lingering uncertainty, the much-anticipated Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor–HHS–Education appropriations bill has been signed into law, delivering a significant victory for arts education programs nationwide.

Last year, the President’s proposed budget sent shockwaves through the education community, calling for a $12 billion cut (more than 15%) to the U.S. Department of Education. Those proposed reductions threatened access to a well-rounded education and put critical programs that support students, educators, and schools across the country at risk.

Thanks to strong pushback from Congress and education advocates, these cuts were largely avoided in the final bill, an encouraging and hard-earned triumph for American education.

Education Funding Maintained, Key Programs Protected

Despite proposed reductions at various points in the process, lawmakers ultimately level-funded or increased support for nearly all major K–12 education programs in 2026-27 school year appropriations.

In total, the bill provides $79 billion for the U.S. Department of Education—approximately $217 million above FY 2025 levels—sustaining investments essential to student success and a well-rounded education that includes the arts.

Key program outcomes include:

• Title I is funded at $18.4 billion, providing resources to support students in schools serving low-income students, including resources that help strengthen access to arts education.
• Title II received $2.2 billion to support educator recruitment and retention, build professional expertise, and increase the number of high-quality educators nationwide—including arts instructors.
• The budget also includes $1.4 billion for Title IV, Part A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants) for flexible funding that supports a well-rounded education including the arts, safe and healthy students, and the effective use of technology.
• In addition, the Assistance for Arts Education program remains funded at $36.5 million, supporting professional development for arts educators, accessible instructional materials, and strengthened partnerships among schools, districts, and arts organizations.
• Finally, IDEA is funded at $15.5 billion, to ensure students with disabilities continue to receive a free appropriate public education, including access to arts learning opportunities.

Together, these investments help ensure all students have access to high-quality, well-rounded education opportunities. By avoiding cuts to these vital programs, Congress has reaffirmed the importance of education—and arts education—in supporting student success nationwide.

While this funding outcome is a clear win, the final bill does not fully halt efforts to shift Department of Education functions to other federal agencies. Although the legislation includes reporting requirements for interagency implementation plans, the continues to oppose fragmentation and will keep advocating for education programs to stay where they belong—within a strong, centralized Department dedicated to serving students and educators across the country.

Advocacy Makes the Difference

This funding victory serves as a powerful reminder to advocates everywhere: continue making your voices heard. This success may not have been possible without strong, sustained grassroots engagement.

Throughout the appropriations process, over 2,300 advocates participated in a grassroots campaign organized by the Arts Education Alliance to contact their Members of Congress and collectively raise their voices in support of arts education funding.

We are deeply grateful to our dedicated community of advocates who consistently show up, speak out, and help secure meaningful wins for arts educators and students nationwide, proving that when we join forces and advocate together, real change is possible.

With federal investments preserved for FY 2026, the Arts Education Alliance will continue working alongside educators and advocates to protect and strengthen support for these programs in the years ahead.