Bush proposes arts initiative

President Bush is proposing a big funding boost to the National Endowment for the Arts, an agency that once was a favorite target of Republicans. The money would go for a new program to give Americans an up-close look at their arts heritage.

The $18-million increase, a 15% hike in the NEA’s funding, would be the largest in years. Last year, Congress increased the agency’s funding to $122.5 million, up from $115.7 million but still well below what the agency received 25 years ago.

Most of the increase Bush is proposing in his upcoming federal budget would be used for a new initiative called “American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius.” The programs will take works of American art on tour to large and small communities in all 50 states, said Douglas Sonntag, director of the NEA’s office of national initiatives.

Sonntag said the program also would create educational packages of videos and study guides tailored for schoolchildren, bringing jazz, Shakespeare, dance and other art forms to classrooms nationwide.