Let’s build up the arts

Congress should be increasing the budget for the National Endowment for the Arts, not cutting it (“Federal arts funding does more harm than good,” March 16). In 2016, the NEA’s budget was only $148 million, which supports artistic excellence and improves access to the arts by granting funds to nonprofit arts organizations.

In contrast, its budget in 1993 was $174 million — which would equal funding of more than $277 million in today’s dollars.

In general, Americans need to show a greater appreciation for the arts.

Our schools need more arts education. Schools, especially those struggling, can retain their best teachers by becoming incubators for creativity and innovation; places where students want to learn and teachers want to teach.

Congress and state education leaders should support strong arts education programs in order for local school leaders to teach the arts — including dance, theater, music, visual and media arts — in their curriculum.

Supporting the NEA should be a part of this effort. — Barbara H. Walsh, Canton