Mayor Edwin M. Lee and Tom DeCaigny issued this statement on Arts Advocacy Day:

“With the Presidential Administration proposing unprecedented cuts to essential cultural programs, it is critical that we show our support for Arts Advocacy Day today.

From being at the forefront of the counterculture music movement of the 1960s to boasting renowned art institutions, San Francisco is famous for its contributions to the arts and culture world. Beyond enriching our lives, the arts are an important economic engine for San Francisco, as cultural tourism generates $1.7 billion annually for the City.

The Presidential Administration’s proposed budget includes devastating cuts to arts programs, including, for the first time, the elimination of the National Endowment of the Arts. The NEA has allocated $6.4 million directly to San Francisco arts nonprofits since 2015. Additionally, the NEA’s Indemnity

The Administration has also proposed cutting the National Endowment for Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which provide substantial financial aid to institutions such as the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

Our local Congressional delegation has pledged to combat the Administration’s severe cuts to arts programs. We are rallying today in celebrations of the arts, and we will continue this fight to protect our critical cultural foundations.”