Montclair Jazz Nonprofit Blasts Trump's Proposed Budget Cuts To NEA

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Another beloved member of the Montclair arts scene has released a statement asserting that it will be seriously impacted by the proposed White House budget cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

On Monday, Montclair nonprofit Jazz House Kids and representatives for the Montclair Jazz Festival posted a plea for help in the face of the White House’s proposed federal budget, which includes massive cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency, the State Department and a wide swath of other departments and programs run by the executive branch.

• See related article: 7 Things To Know About President Trump's Budget Proposal

According to a statement from Montclair Jazz festival organizers, the event receives “substantial” funding from the NEA.

“NEA support is vital to keeping this festival a no-tickets-required event,” organizers stated.

In addition, the proposed budget cuts would harm the festival’s mother organization, the nonprofit Jazz House Kids, organizers stated.

“Jazz House Kids is one of dozens of arts institutions in New Jersey that would suffer greatly from the loss of this agency public funding, along with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts which in turn supports over 200 arts organizations and artists, reaching every county in our state,” organizers said.

'GREATER EFFICIENCY, ELIMINATE WASTEFUL SPENDING'

"Our aim is to meet the simple, but crucial demand of our citizens: a government that puts the needs of its own people first," President Trump wrote in the White House's "America First" budget blueprint.

"Our Budget Blueprint insists on $54 billion in reductions to non-defense programs," Trump stated. "We are going to do more with less, and make the government lean and accountable to the people... These cuts are sensible and rational. Every agency and department will be driven to achieve greater efficiency and to eliminate wasteful spending in carrying out their honorable service to the American people."

"The American people elected me to fight for their priorities in Washington, D.C. and deliver
on my promise to protect our nation," Trump wrote. "I fully intend to keep that promise."

MUSEUM ALSO IMPACTED

Last week, another beloved Montclair institution – the Montclair Art Museum – also issued a statement against the proposed budget cuts, posting a social media plea to “stand up for museums.”

According to museum staff, the proposed cuts would affect:

• Educational programming for students, seniors, veterans and special needs groups
• Exhibitions that “enhance visitors’ understanding of art, culture and history”
• Professional development courses for educators and professionals
• Free events that “bring the arts to life for everyone”

“Losing the National Endowment for the Arts would be a setback for us and for our community, as it would be for thousands of organizations and communities nationwide,” the Montclair Art Museum wrote. “If [the museum] is important to you and our work has touched your life, please know that this funding is vital to us.”

• See related article: Montclair Art Lovers Should Worry About White House Budget, Museum Says

WILL THE NEA SURVIVE TRUMP?

The NEA – which offers federal funds to promote arts projects and educational efforts - is one of the federal agencies that may face severe cuts, according to Chairperson Jane Chu.

“We [have] learned that the President’s FY 2018 budget blueprint proposes the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts,” Chu recently stated on the NEA website. “We are disappointed because we see our funding actively making a difference with individuals of all ages in thousands of communities, large, small, urban and rural, and in every Congressional District in the nation.”

“We understand that the President’s budget request is a first step in a very long budget process,” Chu stated. “As part of that process we are working with the Office of Management and Budget to prepare information they have requested. At this time, the NEA continues to operate as usual and will do so until a new budget is enacted by Congress.”

According to Chu, as a federal government agency, the NEA cannot engage in advocacy, either directly or indirectly. The agency will, however, continue its practice of “educating about the NEA’s vital role in serving our nation’s communities.”

File Photo: Montclair Jazz Festival

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com