Dear Friends,

A message like this one is hard to write.

But today, I’m reaching out to you not just as President and CEO of the Count Basie Center for the Arts, but as a believer in the power of the arts to transform lives and strengthen communities.

As you may have heard, arts organizations across the country – including many in our area  – have had their Fondo Nacional de las Artes (NEA) funding rescinded. And if the proposed 2026 federal government budget is approved as written, the NEA will cease to be funded altogether. These cuts would be devastating for arts organizations across the country.

The NEA was created in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government by an act of the U.S. Congress, and signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Since then it has remained a lifeline for arts and cultural centers – big and small – which serve as economic drivers, educational partners and the cultural heartbeat of their communities.

But beyond the organizations, the NEA has supported people – the artists, teachers, technicians and visionaries – who help us feel, connect and imagine a better world. An investment in the arts is an investment in all of us.

Recently, a number of our colleagues at the NEA have announced their retirement. That means our strongest advocates – the ones who have supported the kind of work and programming we do here at the Basie Center – are no longer in place. With looming budget cuts and complete closure of the NEA being threatened, the urgent need to protect funding for the arts falls on all of us.

The moment to act is now.

If you believe that the arts matter, we need you to speak up. Contact your representatives – you can find their contact information below.

Let the federal government know that the arts aren’t optional. The arts are essential.

Thank you,

 

 

 

Adam Philipson, President and CEO
Count Basie Center for the Arts

 

🏛️ U.S. Senators from New Jersey

Senator Cory Booker (D)

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  717 Hart Senate Office Building
  Washington, DC 20510
  📞 (202) 224-3224
  📧 Contact Form

Senator Andy Kim (D)

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  133 Hart Senate Office Building
  Washington, DC 20510
  📞 (202) 224-4744
  📧 Contact Form

🏛️ U.S. House Representatives from New Jersey

District 1: Rep. Donald Norcross (D)

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  2427 Rayburn House Office Building
  Washington, DC 20515
  📞 (202) 225-6501
  📧 Contact Form

District 2: Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R)

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  331 Cannon House Office Building
  Washington, DC 20515
  📞 (202) 225-6572
  📧 Contact Form

District 3: Rep. Herb Conaway (D)

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  1229 Longworth House Office Building
  Washington, DC 20515
  📞 (202) 225-4765
  📧 Contact Form

District 4: Rep. Chris Smith (R)

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  2373 Rayburn House Office Building
  Washington, DC 20515
  📞 (202) 225-3765
  📧 Contact Form

District 5: Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D)

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  203 Cannon House Office Building
  Washington, DC 20515
  📞 (202) 225-4465
  📧 Contact Form

District 6: Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D)

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  2107 Rayburn House Office Building
  Washington, DC 20515
  📞 (202) 225-4671
  📧 Contact Form

District 7: Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R)

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  251 Cannon House Office Building
  Washington, DC 20515
  📞 (202) 225-5361
  📧 Contact Form

District 8: Rep. Rob Menendez (D)

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  1007 Longworth House Office Building
  Washington, DC 20515
  📞 (202) 225-7919
  📧 Contact Form

District 9: Rep. Nellie Pou (D)

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  1007 Longworth House Office Building
  Washington, DC 20515
  📞 (202) 225-5751
  📧 Contact Form

District 10: Rep. LaMonica McIver (D)

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  426 Cannon House Office Building
  Washington, DC 20515
  📞 (202) 225-3436
  📧 Contact Form

District 11: Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D)

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  1427 Longworth House Office Building
  Washington, DC 20515
  📞 (202) 225-5034
  📧 Contact Form

District 12: Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)

• Washington, D.C. Office:
  168 Cannon House Office Building
  Washington, DC 20515
  📞 (202) 225-5801
  📧 Contact Form