Arts agencies to get higher funding

By Associated Press Writer BRETT ZONGKER (The Associated Press)

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WASHINGTON – The National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities are expected to receive their highest levels of funding in 16 years from a bill President Barack Obama is expected to sign into law by this weekend.

Under the Interior Appropriations Bill passed Thursday by the House and Senate, both cultural agencies were slated to receive $167.5 million for the 2010 fiscal year. Last year’s budget allocated $155 million.

The increase – amid a record federal budget deficit – comes after an aggressive push by lobbyists to show that arts organizations provide thousands of jobs across the country.

– The Associated Press