The Role of the Federal Government in Support of the Arts and Music Education

Abstract

This report focuses upon the historic role of the federal government in support of the arts and music education by placing instances of federal assistance into periods identified by the common motivational factor of “necessity.” To better understand the factors influencing present-day funding procedures and the likelihood of continued subsidies, government support policies were grouped into periods of “practical necessity,” during the nation's formative years; “economic necessity,” when the financial crisis of the Great Depression caused the government to provide work opportunities for unemployed artists and educators; and “cultural necessity,” during the 1960s and 1970s when aid was provided to meet the expressed needs of artists, educators, and arts consumers. Through the introduction of special programs, innovative funding activities, and creative projects, government support encouraged artists and educators, in recent years, to cooperate in the development of arts education efforts.