1. U.S. Code
  2. title 20
  3. chapter 26
  4. subchapter I
  5. § 955

Collapse to view only § 955. National Council on the Arts

§ 951. Declaration of findings and purposes
The Congress finds and declares the following:
(1) The arts and the humanities belong to all the people of the United States.
(2) The encouragement and support of national progress and scholarship in the humanities and the arts, while primarily a matter for private and local initiative, are also appropriate matters of concern to the Federal Government.
(3) An advanced civilization must not limit its efforts to science and technology alone, but must give full value and support to the other great branches of scholarly and cultural activity in order to achieve a better understanding of the past, a better analysis of the present, and a better view of the future.
(4) Democracy demands wisdom and vision in its citizens. It must therefore foster and support a form of education, and access to the arts and the humanities, designed to make people of all backgrounds and wherever located masters of their technology and not its unthinking servants.
(5) It is necessary and appropriate for the Federal Government to complement, assist, and add to programs for the advancement of the humanities and the arts by local, State, regional, and private agencies and their organizations. In doing so, the Government must be sensitive to the nature of public sponsorship. Public funding of the arts and humanities is subject to the conditions that traditionally govern the use of public money. Such funding should contribute to public support and confidence in the use of taxpayer funds. Public funds provided by the Federal Government must ultimately serve public purposes the Congress defines.
(6) The arts and the humanities reflect the high place accorded by the American people to the nation’s rich cultural heritage and to the fostering of mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all persons and groups.
(7) The practice of art and the study of the humanities require constant dedication and devotion. While no government can call a great artist or scholar into existence, it is necessary and appropriate for the Federal Government to help create and sustain not only a climate encouraging freedom of thought, imagination, and inquiry but also the material conditions facilitating the release of this creative talent.
(8) The world leadership which has come to the United States cannot rest solely upon superior power, wealth, and technology, but must be solidly founded upon worldwide respect and admiration for the Nation’s high qualities as a leader in the realm of ideas and of the spirit.
(9) Americans should receive in school, background and preparation in the arts and humanities to enable them to recognize and appreciate the aesthetic dimensions of our lives, the diversity of excellence that comprises our cultural heritage, and artistic and scholarly expression.
(10) It is vital to a democracy to honor and preserve its multicultural artistic heritage as well as support new ideas, and therefore it is essential to provide financial assistance to its artists and the organizations that support their work.
(11) To fulfill its educational mission, achieve an orderly continuation of free society, and provide models of excellence to the American people, the Federal Government must transmit the achievement and values of civilization from the past via the present to the future, and make widely available the greatest achievements of art.
(12) In order to implement these findings and purposes, it is desirable to establish a National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities.
(Pub. L. 89–209, § 2, Sept. 29, 1965, 79 Stat. 845; Pub. L. 91–346, § 2, July 20, 1970, 84 Stat. 443; Pub. L. 93–133, § 2(a)(1), Oct. 19, 1973, 87 Stat. 462; renumbered title I, § 2, and amended Pub. L. 98–306, §§ 2, 3, May 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 223; renumbered § 2 and amended Pub. L. 99–194, title I, §§ 101(1), 102, Dec. 20, 1985, 99 Stat. 1332; Pub. L. 101–512, title III, § 318 [title I, § 101], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1960, 1961.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 951

§ 952. DefinitionsAs used in this subchapter—
(a) The term “humanities” includes, but is not limited to, the study and interpretation of the following: language, both modern and classical; linguistics; literature; history; jurisprudence; philosophy; archeology; comparative religion; ethics; the history, criticism, and theory of the arts; those aspects of the social sciences which have humanistic span and employ humanistic methods; and the study and application of the humanities to the human environment with particular attention to reflecting our diverse heritage, traditions, and history and to the relevance of the humanities to the current conditions of national life.
(b) The term “the arts” includes, but is not limited to, music (instrumental and vocal), dance, drama, folk art, creative writing, architecture and allied fields, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic and craft arts, industrial design, costume and fashion design, motion pictures, television, radio, film, video, tape and sound recording, the arts related to the presentation, performance, execution, and exhibition of such major art forms, all those traditional arts practiced by the diverse peoples of this country.1
1 So in original. The period probably should be a comma.
and the study and application of the arts to the human environment.
(c) The term “production” means plays (with or without music), ballet, dance and choral performances, concerts, recitals, operas, exhibitions, readings, motion pictures, television, radio, film, video, and tape and sound recordings, and any other activities involving the execution or rendition of the arts and meeting such standards as may be approved by the National Endowment for the Arts established by section 954 of this title.
(d) The term “project” means programs organized to carry out the purposes of this subchapter, including programs to foster American artistic creativity, to commission works of art, to create opportunities for individuals to develop artistic talents when carried on as a part of a program otherwise included in this definition, and to develop and enhance the widest public knowledge and understanding of the arts, and includes, where appropriate, rental or purchase of facilities, purchase or rental of land, and acquisition of equipment. Such term also includes—
(1) the renovation of facilities if (A) the amount of the expenditure of Federal funds for such purpose in the case of any project does not exceed $250,000, or (B) two-thirds of the members of the National Council on the Arts or the National Council on the Humanities, as the case may be (who are present and voting) approve of the grant or contract involving an expenditure for such purpose; and
(2) for purposes of sections 954(p), 956(c)(10), and 956(h) of this title only, the construction of facilities if (A) such construction is for demonstration purposes or under unusual circumstances where there is no other manner in which to accomplish an artistic or humanistic purpose, and (B) two-thirds of the members of the National Council on the Arts and the National Council on the Humanities, as the case may be, (who are present and voting) approve of the grant or contract involving an expenditure for such purpose.
(e) The term “group” includes any State or other public agency, and any nonprofit society, institution, organization, association, museum, or establishment in the United States, whether or not incorporated.
(f) The term “workshop” means an activity the primary purpose of which is to encourage the artistic development or enjoyment of amateur, student, or other nonprofessional participants, or to promote scholarship and teaching among the participants.
(g) The term “State” includes, in addition to the several States of the Union, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
(h) The term “local arts agency” means a community organization, or an agency of local government, that primarily provides financial support, services, or other programs for a variety of artists and arts organizations, for the benefit of the community as a whole.
(i) The term “developing arts organization” means a local arts organization of high artistic promise which—
(1) serves as an important source of local arts programming in a community; and
(2) has the potential to develop artistically and institutionally to broaden public access to the arts in rural and innercity areas and other areas that are underserved artistically.
(j) The term “determined to be obscene” means determined, in a final judgment of a court of record and of competent jurisdiction in the United States, to be obscene.
(k) The term “final judgment” means a judgment that is either—
(1) not reviewed by any other court that has authority to review such judgment; or
(2) is not reviewable by any other court.
(l) The term “obscene” means with respect to a project, production, workshop, or program that—
(1) the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that such project, production, workshop, or program, when taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest;
(2) such project, production, workshop, or program depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way; and
(3) such project, production, workshop, or program, when taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
(Pub. L. 89–209, § 3, Sept. 29, 1965, 79 Stat. 845; Pub. L. 90–348, §§ 1, 7, June 18, 1968, 82 Stat. 184, 187; Pub. L. 91–346, § 3, July 20, 1970, 84 Stat. 443; Pub. L. 93–133, § 2(a)(2), Oct. 19, 1973, 87 Stat. 462; Pub. L. 96–496, title I, § 101, Dec. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 2583; renumbered title I, § 3, Pub. L. 98–306, § 2, May 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 223; renumbered § 3 and amended Pub. L. 99–194, title I, §§ 101(1), 103, Dec. 20, 1985, 99 Stat. 1332; Pub. L. 101–512, title III, § 318 [title I, § 102], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1960, 1962.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 952

§ 953. National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities
(a) Establishment; composition
(b) Purpose
(c) Prohibition against Federal supervision over policy determination, personnel, or curriculum, or administration or operation of any school or other non-Federal body
(Pub. L. 89–209, § 4, Sept. 29, 1965, 79 Stat. 846; renumbered title I, § 4, and amended Pub. L. 98–306, §§ 2, 4, May 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 223; renumbered § 4 and amended Pub. L. 99–194, title I, §§ 101(1), 104, Dec. 20, 1985, 99 Stat. 1332, 1333; Pub. L. 111–340, title II, § 208(1), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3602.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 953

§ 954. National Endowment for the Arts
(a) Establishment
(b) Chairperson of the Endowment; term of office; vacancies
(1) The Endowment shall be headed by a chairperson, to be known as the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) The term of office of the Chairperson shall be four years and the Chairperson shall be eligible for reappointment. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to any person appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of Chairperson. Upon expiration of the Chairperson’s term of office the Chairperson shall serve until the Chairperson’s successor shall have been appointed and shall have qualified.
(c) Program of contracts, grants-in-aid, or loans to groups and individuals for projects and productions; traditionally underrepresented recipients of financial assistanceThe Chairperson, with the advice of the National Council on the Arts, is authorized to establish and carry out a program of contracts with, or grants-in-aid or loans to, groups or, in appropriate cases, individuals of exceptional talent engaged in or concerned with the arts, for the purpose of enabling them to provide or support—
(1) projects and productions which have substantial national or international artistic and cultural significance, giving emphasis to American creativity and cultural diversity and to the maintenance and encouragement of professional excellence;
(2) projects and productions, meeting professional standards or standards of authenticity or tradition, irrespective of origin, which are of significant merit and which, without such assistance, would otherwise be unavailable to our citizens for geographic or economic reasons;
(3) projects and productions that will encourage and assist artists and enable them to achieve wider distribution of their works, to work in residence at an educational or cultural institution, or to achieve standards of professional excellence;
(4) projects and productions which have substantial artistic and cultural significance and that reach, or reflect the culture of, a minority, inner city, rural, or tribal community;
(5) projects and productions that will encourage public knowledge, education, understanding, and appreciation of the arts;
(6) workshops that will encourage and develop the appreciation and enjoyment of the arts by our citizens;
(7) programs for the arts at the local level;
(8) projects that enhance managerial and organizational skills and capabilities;
(9) projects, productions, and workshops of the kinds described in paragraphs (1) through (8) through film, radio, video, and similar media, for the purpose of broadening public access to the arts; and
(10) other relevant projects, including surveys, research, planning, and publications relating to the purposes of this subsection.
In the case of publications under paragraph (10) of this subsection such publications may be supported without regard for the provisions of section 501 of title 44 only if the Chairperson consults with the Joint Committee on Printing of the Congress and the Chairperson submits to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives a report justifying any exemption from such section 501. Any loans made by the Chairperson under this subsection shall be made in accordance with terms and conditions approved by the Secretary of the Treasury. In selecting individuals and groups of exceptional talent as recipients of financial assistance to be provided under this subsection, the Chairperson shall give particular regard to artists and artistic groups that have traditionally been underrepresented.
(d) Application for payment; regulations and proceduresNo payment shall be made under this section except upon application therefor which is submitted to the National Endowment for the Arts in accordance with regulations issued and procedures established by the Chairperson. In establishing such regulations and procedures, the Chairperson shall ensure that—
(1) artistic excellence and artistic merit are the criteria by which applications are judged, taking into consideration general standards of decency and respect for the diverse beliefs and values of the American public; and
(2) applications are consistent with the purposes of this section. Such regulations and procedures shall clearly indicate that obscenity is without artistic merit, is not protected speech, and shall not be funded. Projects, productions, workshops, and programs that are determined to be obscene are prohibited from receiving financial assistance under this subchapter from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The disapproval or approval of an application by the Chairperson shall not be construed to mean, and shall not be considered as evidence that, the project, production, workshop, or program for which the applicant requested financial assistance is or is not obscene.
(e) Limitation on amount of grant to group; grants and contracts of the National Endowment for the Arts
(f) Eligibility for financial assistance
(g) Grants to States for projects and productions; applications; terms and conditions of State plans; minimum allotments; excess appropriations; cost limitations; grants to regional groups; non-Federal funding; definitions
(1) The Chairperson, with the advice of the National Council on the Arts, is authorized to establish and carry out a program of grants-in-aid to assist the several States in supporting existing projects and productions which meet the standards enumerated in subsection (c) of this section, and in developing projects and productions in the arts in such a manner as will furnish adequate programs, facilities, and services in the arts to all the people and communities in each of the several States.
(2) In order to receive assistance under this subsection in any fiscal year, a State shall submit an application for such grants at such time as shall be specified by the Chairperson and accompany such application with a plan which the Chairperson finds—
(A) designates or provides for the establishment of a State agency (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “State agency”) as the sole agency for the administration of the State plan;
(B) provides that funds paid to the State under this subsection will be expended solely on projects and productions approved by the State agency which carry out one or more of the objectives of subsection (c);
(C) provides that the State agency will make such reports, in such form and containing such information, as the Chairperson may from time to time require, including a description of the progress made toward achieving the goals of the State plan;
(D) provides—
(i) assurances that the State agency has held, after reasonable notice, public meetings in the State to allow all groups of artists, interested organizations, and the public to present views and make recommendations regarding the State plan; and
(ii) a summary of such recommendations and the State agency’s response to such recommendations; and
(E) contains—
(i) a description of the level of participation during the most recent preceding year for which information is available by artists, artists’ organizations, and arts organizations in projects and productions for which financial assistance is provided under this subsection;
(ii) for the most recent preceding year for which information is available, a description of the extent projects and productions receiving financial assistance from the State arts agency are available to all people and communities in the State; and
(iii) a description of projects and productions receiving financial assistance under this subsection that exist or are being developed to secure wider participation of artists, artists’ organizations, and arts organizations identified under clause (i) of this subparagraph or that address the availability of the arts to all people or communities identified under clause (ii) of this subparagraph.
No application may be approved unless the accompanying plan satisfies the requirements specified in this subsection.
(3) Of the sums available to carry out this subsection for any fiscal year, each State which has a plan approved by the Chairperson shall be allotted at least $200,000. If the sums appropriated are insufficient to make the allotments under the preceding sentence in full, such sums shall be allotted among such States in equal amounts. In any case where the sums available to carry out this subsection for any fiscal year are in excess of the amount required to make the allotments under the first sentence of this paragraph—
(A) the amount of such excess which is no greater than 25 per centum of the sums available to carry out this subsection for any fiscal year shall be available only to the Chairperson for making grants under this subsection to States and regional groups, and
(B) the amount of such excess, if any, which remains after reserving in full for the Chairperson the amount required under clause (A) shall be allotted among the States which have plans approved by the Chairperson in equal amounts
but in no event shall any State be allotted less than $200,000.
(4)
(A) The amount of each allotment to a State for any fiscal year under this subsection shall be available to each State, which has a plan approved by the Chairperson in effect on the first day of such fiscal year, to pay not more than 50 per centum of the total cost of any project or production described in paragraph (1). The amount of any allotment made under paragraph (3) for any fiscal year which exceeds $125,000 shall be available, at the discretion of the Chairperson, to pay up to 100 per centum of such cost of projects and productions if such projects and productions would otherwise be unavailable to the residents of that State: Provided, That the total amount of any such allotment for any fiscal year which is exempted from such 50 per centum limitation shall not exceed 20 per centum of the total of such allotment for such fiscal year. Whenever a State agency requests that the Chairperson exercise such discretion, the Chairperson shall—
(i) give consideration to the various circumstances the State is encountering at the time of such request; and
(ii) ensure that such discretion is not exercised with respect to such State in perpetuity.
(B) Any amount allotted to a State under the first sentence of paragraph (3) for any fiscal year which is not obligated by the State prior to 60 days prior to the end of the fiscal year for which such sums are appropriated shall be available for making grants to regional groups.
(C) Funds made available under this subsection shall not be used to supplant non-Federal funds. The non-Federal funds required by subparagraph (A) to pay 50 percent of the cost of a program or production shall be provided from funds directly controlled and appropriated by the State involved and directly managed by the State agency of such State.
(D) For the purpose of paragraph (3) and paragraph (4) of this section the term “regional group” means any multistate group, whether or not representative of contiguous States.
(E) For purposes of paragraph (3)(B), the term “State” includes, in addition to the several States of the Union, only those special jurisdictions specified in section 952(g) of this title which have a population of 200,000 or more, according to the latest decennial census.
(5) All amounts allotted or made available under paragraph (3) for a fiscal year which are not granted to a State during such year shall be available at the end of such year to the National Endowment for the Arts for the purpose of carrying out subsection (c).
(h) Suspension of grants for defaults, noncompliance with provisions and plans, and diversion of funds; repayment of fundsWhenever the Chairperson, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing, finds that—
(1) a group is not complying substantially with the provisions of this section;
(2) a State agency is not complying substantially with the terms and conditions of its State plan approved under this section; or
(3) any funds granted to a group or State agency under this section have been diverted from the purposes for which they were allotted or paid,
the Chairperson shall immediately notify the Secretary of the Treasury and the group or State agency with respect to which such finding was made that no further grants will be made under this section to such group or agency until there is no longer any default or failure to comply or the diversion has been corrected, or, if compliance or correction is impossible, until such group or agency repays or arranges the repayment of the Federal funds which have been improperly diverted or expended.
(i) Application for financial assistance; requirementsIt shall be a condition of the receipt of financial assistance provided under this section by the Chairperson or the State agency that the applicant for such assistance include in its application—
(1) a detailed description of the proposed project, production, workshop, or program for which the applicant requests such assistance;
(2) a timetable for the completion of such proposed project, production, workshop, or program;
(3) an assurance that the applicant will submit—
(A) interim reports describing the applicant’s—
(i) progress in carrying out such project, production, workshop, or program; and
(ii) compliance with this subchapter and the conditions of receipt of such assistance;
(B) if such proposed project, production, workshop, or program will be carried out during a period exceeding 1 year, an annual report describing the applicant’s—
(i) progress in carrying out such project, production, workshop, or program; and
(ii) compliance with this subchapter and the conditions of receipt of such assistance; and
(C) not later than 90 days after—
(i) the end of the period for which the applicant receives such assistance; or
(ii) the completion of such project, production, workshop, or program;
whichever occurs earlier, a final report to the Chairperson or the State agency (as the case may be) describing the applicant’s compliance with this subchapter and the conditions of receipt of such assistance; and
(4) an assurance that the project, production, workshop, or program for which assistance is requested will meet the standards of artistic excellence and artistic merit required by this subchapter.
(j) Regulations for distribution of financial assistance in installments; implementationThe Chairperson shall issue regulations to provide for the distribution of financial assistance to recipients in installments except in those cases where the Chairperson determines that installments are not practicable. In implementing any such installments, the Chairperson shall ensure that—
(1) not more than two-thirds of such assistance may be provided at the time such application is approved; and
(2) the remainder of such assistance may not be provided until the Chairperson finds that the recipient of such assistance is complying substantially with this section and with the conditions under which such assistance is provided to such recipient.
(k) Reviews to ensure compliance with regulations
(l) Use of financial assistance for obscene project, production, etc.; repayment of assistance; exceptions
(1) If, after reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing on the record, the Chairperson determines that a recipient of financial assistance provided under this section by the Chairperson or any non-Federal entity, used such financial assistance for a project, production, workshop, or program that is determined to be obscene, then the Chairperson shall require that until such recipient repays such assistance (in such amount, and under such terms and conditions, as the Chairperson determines to be appropriate) to the Endowment; no subsequent financial assistance be provided under this section to such recipient.
(2) Financial assistance repaid under this section to the Endowment shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States and credited as miscellaneous receipts.
(3)
(A) This subsection shall not apply with respect to financial assistance provided before the effective date of this subsection.
(B) This subsection shall not apply with respect to a project, production, workshop, or program after the expiration of the 7-year period beginning on the latest date on which financial assistance is provided under this section for such project, production, workshop, or program.
(m) Labor standards of professional performers and personnel; healthy and safe working conditions
(n) Labor standards of laborers and mechanics
(o) Correlation and development of endowment programs with other Federal and non-Federal programs; expenditure of appropriations
(p) Program of contracts or grants-in-aid to public agencies and private nonprofit organizations; limitation on payments; authority of Chairperson
(1) The Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts, with the advice of the National Council on the Arts, is authorized, in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, to establish and carry out a program of contracts with, or grants-in-aid to, public agencies and private nonprofit organizations, on a national, State, or local level, for the purpose of strengthening quality by—
(A) enabling cultural organizations and institutions to increase the levels of continuing support and to increase the range of contributors to the programs of such organizations or institutions;
(B) providing administrative and management improvements for cultural organizations and institutions, particularly in the field of long-range financial planning;
(C) enabling cultural organizations and institutions to increase audience participation in, and appreciation of, programs sponsored by such organizations and institutions;
(D) providing additional support for cooperative efforts undertaken by State arts agencies with local arts groups and local arts agencies to promote effective arts activity at the State and local level, including—
(i) support of professional artists in community based residencies;
(ii) support of rural arts development;
(iii) support of and models for regional, statewide, or local organizations to provide technical assistance to cultural organizations and institutions;
(iv) support of and models for visual and performing arts touring; and
(v) support of and models for professional staffing of arts organizations and for stabilizing and broadening the financial base for arts organizations;
(E) stimulating greater cooperation among cultural organizations and institutions especially designed to serve better the communities in which such organizations or institutions are located;
(F) fostering greater citizen involvement in planning the cultural development of a community; and
(G) stimulating artistic activity and awareness which are in keeping with the varied cultural traditions of this Nation.
(2)
(A) The Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts, with the advice of the National Council on the Arts, is authorized in accordance with this subsection, to establish and carry out a program of contracts with, or grants to, States for the purposes of—
(i) raising the artistic capabilities of developing arts organizations by providing for—(I) artistic and programmatic development to enhance artistic capabilities, including staff development; and(II) technical assistance to improve managerial and organizational skills, financial systems management, and long-range fiscal planning; and
(ii) stimulating artistic activity and awareness and broadening public access to the arts in rural and innercity areas and other areas that are underserved artistically.
(B) For purposes of providing financial assistance under this paragraph, the Chairperson shall give priority to the activities described in subparagraph (A)(i).
(C) The Chairperson may not provide financial assistance under this paragraph to a particular applicant in more than 3 fiscal years for the purpose specified in subparagraph (A)(i).
(3) The total amount of any payment made under this subsection for a program or project may not exceed 50 per centum of the cost of such program or project.
(4) In carrying out the program authorized by this subsection, the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts shall have the same authority as is established in subsection (c) and section 959 of this title.
(q) National information and data collection system on the arts, artists and art groups, and audiences; development and implementation plan; state of the arts reports
(Pub. L. 89–209, § 5, Sept. 29, 1965, 79 Stat. 846; Pub. L. 90–83, § 10(b), Sept. 11, 1967, 81 Stat. 223; Pub. L. 90–348, §§ 2, 3, June 18, 1968, 82 Stat. 185; Pub. L. 91–346, §§ 4, 5(a)(1), (2), 6, 7, July 20, 1970, 84 Stat. 443, 445; Pub. L. 93–133, § 2(a)(3), (4), Oct. 19, 1973, 87 Stat. 462; Pub. L. 94–462, title I, §§ 101, 102, title III, § 301(a), title IV, § 401(a), Oct. 8, 1976, 90 Stat. 1971, 1978, 1980; Pub. L. 96–496, title I, §§ 102, 109(a), (b), Dec. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 2583, 2591; renumbered title I, § 5, Pub. L. 98–306, § 2, May 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 223; renumbered § 5 and amended Pub. L. 99–194, title I, §§ 101(1), 105, Dec. 20, 1985, 99 Stat. 1332, 1333; Pub. L. 101–512, title III, § 318 [title I, §§ 103(a)–(i)(1), 104], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1960, 1963–1966; Pub. L. 113–76, div. G, title IV, § 416, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 341.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 954

§ 954a. Access to the arts through support of education
(a) Purposes
The purposes of this section are—
(1) to increase accessibility to the arts through providing education to all Americans, including diverse cultures, urban and rural populations by encouraging and developing quality education in the arts at all levels, in conjunction with programs of nonformal education for all age groups, with formal systems of elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education;
(2) to develop and stimulate research to teach quality education in the arts; and
(3) to encourage and facilitate the work of artists, arts institutions, and Federal, State, regional, and local agencies in the area of education in the arts.
(b) Program of contracts or grants
The Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts,1
1 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
is authorized to establish and carry out a program of contracts with, or grants to, any State or other public agency, individual, artist, any nonprofit society, performing and nonperforming arts and educational institution or organization, association, or museum in the United States, in order to foster and encourage exceptional talent, public knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the arts, and to support the education, training, and development of this Nation’s artists, through such activities as projects that will—
(1) promote and improve the availability of arts instruction for American youth and life-long learning in the arts;
(2) enhance the quality of arts instruction in programs of teacher education;
(3) develop arts faculty resources and talents;
(4) support and encourage the development of improved curriculum materials in the arts;
(5) improve evaluation and assessment of education in the arts programs and instruction;
(6) foster cooperative programs with the Department of Education and encourage partnerships between arts and education agencies at State and local levels, arts organizations, business colleges and universities;
(7) support apprenticeships, internships, and other career oriented work-study experiences for artists and arts teachers, and encourage residencies of artists at all educational levels;
(8) support the use of technology and improved facilities and resources in education in the arts programs at all levels; and
(9) foster the development of demonstration projects, demonstration productions, demonstration workshops, and demonstration programs in arts education and collect, and make available to the public, information on their implementation and effectiveness.
(c) Advisory council on arts education
(Pub. L. 89–209, § 5A, as added Pub. L. 101–512, title III, § 318 [title I, § 105], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1960, 1967.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 954a

§ 955. National Council on the Arts
(a) Inclusion within the National Endowment for the Arts
(b) Appointment and composition of Council
(1) The Council shall be composed of members as follows:
(A) The Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts, who shall be the chairperson of the Council.
(B) Members of Congress appointed for a 2-year term beginning on January 1 of each odd-numbered year as follows:
(i) Two Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(ii) One Member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
(iii) Two Senator 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “Senators”.
appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate.
(iv) One Senator appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.
Members of the Council appointed under this subparagraph shall serve ex officio and shall be nonvoting members of the Council.
(C) 18 members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, who shall be selected—
(i) from among private citizens of the United States who—(I) are widely recognized for their broad knowledge of, or expertise in, or for their profound interest in the arts; and(II) have established records of distinguished service, or achieved eminence, in the arts;
(ii) so as to include practicing artists, civic cultural leaders, members of the museum profession, and others who are professionally engaged in the arts; and
(iii) so as collectively to provide an appropriate distribution of membership among major art fields and interested citizens groups.
In making such appointments, the President shall give due regard to equitable representation of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities who are involved in the arts and shall make such appointments so as to represent equitably all geographical areas in the United States.
(2)Transition to the new council composition.—
(A) Notwithstanding subsection (b)(1)(B), members first appointed pursuant to such subsection shall be appointed not later than December 31, 1997. Notwithstanding such subsection, such members shall be appointed to serve until December 31, 1998.
(B) Members of the Council serving on the effective date of this subsection may continue to serve on the Council until their current terms expire and new members shall not be appointed under subsection (b)(1)(C) until the number of Presidentially appointed members is less than 14.
(c) Terms of office; vacancies
(d) Meetings of Council; quorum; written records
(1) The Council shall meet at the call of the Chairperson but not less often than twice during each calendar year. Ten members of the Council shall constitute a quorum. All policy meetings of the Council shall be open to the public.
(2) The Council shall—
(A) create written records summarizing—
(i) all meetings and discussions of the Council; and
(ii) the recommendations made by the Council to the Chairperson; and
(B) make such records available to the public in a manner that protects the privacy of individual applicants, panel members, and Council members.
(e) Compensation of members
(f) Advisory functions; policies, programs, and procedures; recommendations; authority of Chairperson; action by Chairperson pursuant to delegation of authorityThe Council shall advise the Chairperson with respect to policies, programs, and procedures for carrying out the Chairperson’s functions, duties, or responsibilities under this subchapter, and review applications for financial assistance under this subchapter and make recommendations to the Chairperson with respect to the approval of each application and the amount of financial assistance (if any) to provide to each applicant. The Council shall make recommendations to the Chairperson concerning—
(1) whether to approve particular applications for financial assistance under subsections (c) and (p) of section 954 of this title that are determined by panels under section 959(c) of this title to have artistic excellence and artistic merit; and
(2) the amount of financial assistance the Chairperson should provide with respect to each such application the Council recommends for approval.
The Chairperson shall not approve or disapprove any such application until the Chairperson has received the recommendation of the Council on such application. The Chairperson shall have final authority to approve each application, except that the Chairperson may only provide to an applicant the amount of financial assistance recommended by the Council and may not approve an application with respect to which the Council makes a negative recommendation. In the case of an application involving $30,000, or less, the Chairperson may approve or disapprove such request if such action is taken pursuant to the terms of an expressed and direct delegation of authority from the Council to the Chairperson, and provided that each such action by the Chairperson shall be reviewed by the Council, and that such action shall be used with discretion and shall not become a normal practice of providing assistance under such subsections, except that the terms of any such delegation of authority shall not permit obligations for expenditure of funds under such delegation for any fiscal year which exceed an amount equal to 10 per centum of the sums appropriated for that fiscal year pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of section 960(a) of this title.
(Pub. L. 89–209, § 6, Sept. 29, 1965, 79 Stat. 849; Pub. L. 90–348, § 4, June 18, 1968, 82 Stat. 185; Pub. L. 91–346, § 5(b), July 20, 1970, 84 Stat. 444; Pub. L. 93–133, § 2(a)(5), Oct. 19, 1973, 87 Stat. 463; Pub. L. 94–462, title I, § 103(a), Oct. 8, 1976, 90 Stat. 1971; Pub. L. 96–496, title I, § 103, Dec. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 2584; renumbered title I, § 6, and amended Pub. L. 98–306, §§ 2, 5(a), May 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 223, 224; renumbered § 6 and amended Pub. L. 99–194, title I, §§ 101(1), 106, Dec. 20, 1985, 99 Stat. 1332, 1335; Pub. L. 101–512, title III, § 318 [title I, § 106], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1960, 1968; Pub. L. 105–83, title III, § 346(e), (f), Nov. 14, 1997, 111 Stat. 1605, 1606; Pub. L. 105–119, title VI, § 624, Nov. 26, 1997, 111 Stat. 2522; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(e) [title III, § 330], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–231, 2681–293; Pub. L. 111–88, div. A, title IV, § 417, Oct. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 2959.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 955

§ 955a. Omitted

CITE AS: 20 USC 955a

§ 955b. National Medal of Arts
(a) Establishment
(b) Award of Medal; conditions; recipients; presentation ceremonies
(1) The President shall from time to time award the National Medal of Arts, on the basis of recommendations from the National Council on the Arts, to individuals or groups who in the President’s judgment are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the United States.
(2) Not more than twelve of such medals may be awarded in any calendar year.
(3) An individual may be awarded the National Medal of Arts only if at the time such award is made such individual—
(A) is a citizen or other national of the United States; or
(B) is an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who (i) has filed an application or petition for naturalization in the manner prescribed by section 1445 of title 8 and (ii) is not permanently ineligible to become a citizen of the United States.
(4) A group may be awarded the National Medal of Arts only if such group is organized or incorporated in the United States.
(5) The presentation of the National Medal of Arts shall be made by the President with such ceremonies as the President may deem proper, including attendance by appropriate Members of Congress.
(c) Availability of funds
(Pub. L. 98–306, § 13, May 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 225.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 955b

§ 956. National Endowment for the Humanities
(a) Establishment
(b) Chairperson of the Endowment; appointment, term, reappointment; vacancy; expiration of term
(1) The Endowment shall be headed by a chairperson, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) The term of office of the Chairperson shall be four years, and the Chairperson shall be eligible for reappointment. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply to any person appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of the Chairperson. Upon expiration of the Chairperson’s term of office the Chairperson shall serve until the Chairperson’s successor shall have been appointed and shall have qualified.
(c) Functions of the Endowment; publications; traditionally underrepresented recipients of financial assistanceThe Chairperson, with the advice of the National Council on the Humanities (hereinafter established), is authorized to enter into arrangements, including contracts, grants, loans, and other forms of assistance, to—
(1) develop and encourage the pursuit of a national policy for the promotion of progress and scholarship in the humanities;
(2) initiate and support research and programs to strengthen the research and teaching potential of the United States in the humanities by making arrangements with individuals or groups to support such activities; any loans made by the Endowment shall be made in accordance with terms and conditions approved by the Secretary of the Treasury;
(3) initiate and support training and workshops in the humanities by making arrangements with institutions or individuals (fellowships awarded to individuals under this authority may be for the purpose of study or research at appropriate nonprofit institutions selected by the recipient of such aid, for stated periods of time);
(4) initiate and support programs and research which have substantial scholarly and cultural significance and that reach, or reflect the diversity and richness of our American cultural heritage, including the culture of, a minority, inner city, rural, or tribal community;
(5) foster international programs and exchanges;
(6) foster the interchange of information in the humanities;
(7) foster, with groups, education in, and public understanding and appreciation of the humanities;
(8) support the publication of scholarly works in the humanities;
(9) insure that the benefit of its programs will also be available to our citizens where such programs would otherwise be unavailable due to geographic or economic reasons; and
(10) foster programs and projects that provide access to, and preserve materials important to research, education, and public understanding of, the humanities.
In the case of publications under clause (8) of this subsection such publications may be supported without regard for the provisions of section 501 of title 44 only if the Chairperson consults with the Joint Committee on Printing of the Congress and the Chairperson submits to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives a report justifying any exemption from such section 501. In selecting individuals and groups of exceptional talent as recipients of financial assistance to be provided under this subsection, the Chairperson shall give particular regard to scholars, and educational and cultural institutions, that have traditionally been underrepresented.
(d) Coordination and development of Endowment programs with other Federal and non-Federal programs
(e) Limitation on amount of grant for workshop activities for which an admission or other charge is made to the general public
(f) Grants-in-aid programs; designation of State administrative agency; matching funds; applications and plans; allotments; cost limitations; grants to regional groups; non-Federal funding; definitions; suspension of grants; single entity limitation
(1) The Chairperson, with the advice of the National Council on the Humanities, is authorized, in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, to establish and carry out a program of grants-in-aid in each of the several States in order to support not more than 50 per centum of the cost of existing activities which meet the standards enumerated in subsection (c) of this section, and in order to develop a program in the humanities in such a manner as will furnish adequate programs in the humanities in each of the several States.
(2)
(A) Whenever a State desires to designate or to provide for the establishment of a State agency as the sole agency for the administration of the State plan, such State shall designate the humanities council in existence on the date the State agency is established as the State agency, and shall match from State funds a sum equal to 50 per centum of that portion of Federal financial assistance received by such State under this subsection which is described in the first sentence of paragraph (4) relating to the minimum State grant, or 25 per centum of the total amount of Federal financial assistance received by such State under this subsection, whichever is greater, for the fiscal year involved. In any State in which the State selects the option described in this subparagraph, the State shall submit, before the beginning of each fiscal year, an application for grants and accompany such application with a plan which the Chairperson finds—
(i) designates or provides for the establishment of a State agency (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “State agency”) as the sole agency for the administration of the State plan;
(ii) provides that the chief executive officer of the State will appoint new members to the State humanities council designated under the provisions of this subparagraph, as vacancies occur as a result of the expiration of the terms of members of such council, until the chief executive officer has appointed all of the members of such council;
(iii) provides, from State funds, an amount equal to 50 per centum of that portion of Federal financial assistance received by such State under this subsection which is described in the first sentence of paragraph (4) relating to the minimum State grant, or 25 per centum of the total amount of Federal financial assistance received by such State under this subsection, whichever is greater, for the fiscal year involved;
(iv) provides that funds paid to the State under this subsection will be expended solely on programs approved by the State agency which carry out the objectives of subsection (c) and which are designed to bring the humanities to the public;
(v) provides assurances that State funds will be newly appropriated for the purpose of meeting the requirements of this subparagraph;
(vi) provides that the State agency will make such reports, in such form and containing such information, as the Chairperson may require, including a description of the progress made toward achieving the goals of the State plan;
(vii) provides—(I) assurances that the State agency has held, after reasonable notice, public meetings in the State to allow scholars, interested organizations, and the public to present views and make recommendations regarding the State plan; and(II) a summary of such recommendations and of the response of the State agency to such recommendations; and
(viii) contains—(I) a description of the level of participation during the most recent preceding year for which information is available by scholars and scholarly organizations in programs receiving financial assistance under this subsection;(II) for the most recent preceding year for which information is available, a description of the extent to which the programs receiving financial assistance under this subsection are available to all people and communities in the State; and(III) a description of programs receiving financial assistance under this subsection that exist or are being developed to secure wider participation of scholars and scholarly organizations identified under subclause (I) of this clause or that address the availability of the humanities to all people or communities identified under subclause (II) of this clause.
No application may be approved unless the accompanying plan satisfies the requirements specified in this subsection.
(B) In any State in which the chief executive officer of the State fails to submit an application under subparagraph (A), the grant recipient in such State shall—
(i) establish a procedure which assures that six members of the governing body of such grant recipient shall be appointed by an appropriate officer or agency of such State, except that in no event may the number of such members exceed 25 per centum of the total membership of such governing body; and
(ii) provide, from any source, an amount equal to the amount of Federal financial assistance received by such grant recipient under this subsection for the fiscal year involved.
(3) Whenever a State selects to receive Federal financial assistance under this subsection for any fiscal year under paragraph (2)(B), any appropriate entity desiring to receive such assistance shall submit an application for such assistance at such time as shall be specified by the Chairperson. Each such application shall be accompanied by a plan which the Chairperson finds—
(A) provides assurances that the grant recipient will comply with the requirements of paragraph (2)(B);
(B) provides that funds paid to the grant recipient will be expended solely on programs which carry out the objectives of subsection (c);
(C) establishes a membership policy which is designed to assure broad public representation with respect to programs administered by such grant recipient;
(D) provides a nomination process which assures opportunities for nomination to membership from various groups within the State involved and from a variety of segments of the population of such State, and including individuals who by reason of their achievement, scholarship, or creativity in the humanities, are especially qualified to serve;
(E) provides for a membership rotation process which assures the regular rotation of the membership and officers of such grant recipient;
(F) establishes reporting procedures which are designed to inform the chief executive officer of the State involved, and other appropriate officers and agencies, of the activities of such grant recipient;
(G) establishes procedures to assure public access to information relating to such activities;
(H) provides that such grant recipient will make reports to the Chairperson, in such form, at such times, and containing such information, as the Chairperson may require, including a description of the progress made toward achieving the goals of the plan;
(I) provides—
(i) assurances that the grant recipient has held, after reasonable notice, public meetings in the State to allow scholars, interested organizations, and the public to present views and make recommendations regarding the plan; and
(ii) a summary of such recommendations and of the response of the grant recipient to such recommendations; and
(J) contains—
(i) a description of the level of participation during the most recent preceding year for which information is available by scholars and scholarly organizations in programs receiving financial assistance under this subsection;
(ii) for the most recent preceding year for which information is available, a description of the extent to which the programs receiving financial assistance under this subsection are available to all people and communities in the State; and
(iii) a description of programs receiving financial assistance under this subsection that exist or are being developed to secure wider participation of scholars and scholarly organizations identified under clause (i) of this subparagraph or that address the availability of the humanities to all people or communities identified under clause (ii) of this subparagraph.
No application may be approved unless the accompanying plan satisfies the requirements specified in this subsection.
(4) Of the sums available to carry out this subsection for any fiscal year, each State and each grant recipient which has a plan approved by the Chairperson shall be allotted at least $200,000. If the sums appropriated are insufficient to make the allotments under the preceding sentence in full, such sums shall be allotted among such States and grant recipients in equal amounts. In any case where the sums available to carry out this subsection for any fiscal year are in excess of the amount required to make the allotments under the first sentence of this paragraph—
(A) 34 per centum of the amount of such excess for such fiscal year shall be available to the Chairperson for making grants under this subsection to States and regional groups and entities applying for such grants;
(B) 44 per centum of the amount of such excess for such fiscal year shall be allotted in equal amounts among the States and grant recipients which have plans approved by the Chairperson; and
(C) 22 per centum of the amount of such excess for such fiscal year shall be allotted among the States and grant recipients which have plans approved by the Chairperson in amounts which bear the same ratio to such excess as the population of the State for which the plan is approved (or, in the case of a grant recipient other than a State, the population of the State in which such grant recipient is located) bears to the population of all the States.
(5)
(A) The amount of each allotment to a State for any fiscal year under this subsection shall be available to each State or grant recipient, which has a plan or application approved by the Chairperson in effect on the first day of such fiscal year, to pay not more than 50 per centum of the total cost of any project or production described in paragraph (1). The amount of any allotment made under paragraph (4) for any fiscal year—
(i) which exceeds $125,000, but
(ii) which does not exceed 20 per centum of such allotment,
shall be available, at the discretion of the Chairperson, to pay up to 100 per centum of the cost of programs under this subsection if such programs would otherwise be unavailable to the residents of that State.
(B) Any amount allotted to a State under the first sentence of paragraph (4) for any fiscal year which is not obligated by the State agency or grant recipient prior to sixty days prior to the end of the fiscal year for which such sums are appropriated shall be available to the Chairperson for making grants to regional groups.
(C) Funds made available under this subsection shall not be used to supplant non-Federal funds.
(D) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “regional group” means any multistate group, whether or not representative of contiguous States.
(E) For purposes of paragraph (4)(B), the term “State” and the term “grant recipient” include, in addition to the several States of the Union, only those special jurisdictions specified in section 952(g) of this title which have a population of 200,000 or more, according to the latest decennial census.
(6) All amounts allotted or made available under paragraph (4) for a fiscal year which are not granted to any entity during such fiscal year shall be available to the National Endowment for the Humanities for the purpose of carrying out subsection (c).
(7) Whenever the Chairperson, after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing, finds that—
(A) a group or grant recipient is not complying substantially with the provisions of this subsection;
(B) a State agency or grant recipient is not complying substantially with terms and conditions of its State plan or grant recipient application approved under this subsection; or
(C) any funds granted to any group or State agency or grant recipient under this subsection have been diverted from the purposes for which they are allotted or paid,
the Chairperson shall immediately notify the Secretary of the Treasury and the group, State agency, or grant recipient with respect to which such finding was made that no further grants will be made under this subsection to such group, State agency, or grant recipient until there is no longer a default or failure to comply or the diversion has been corrected, or, if the compliance or correction is impossible, until such group, State agency, or grant recipient repays or arranges the repayment of the Federal funds which have been improperly diverted or expended.
(8) Except as provided in the third sentence of paragraph (4), and paragraphs (5) and (6), the Chairperson may not make grants under this subsection to more than one entity in any State.
(g) Payment of performers and supporting personnel; standards, regulations, and procedures
(h) Program of contracts or grants-in-aid to public agencies and private nonprofit organizations; limitation on payments
(1) The Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities, with the advice of the National Council on the Humanities, is authorized, in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, to establish and carry out a program of contracts with, or grants-in-aid to, public agencies and private nonprofit organizations for the purpose of—
(A) enabling cultural organizations and institutions to increase the levels of continuing support and to increase the range of contributors to the program of such organizations or institutions;
(B) providing administrative and management improvements for cultural organizations and institutions, particularly in the field of long-range financial planning;
(C) enabling cultural organizations and institutions to increase audience participation in, and appreciation of, programs sponsored by such organizations and institutions;
(D) stimulating greater cooperation among cultural organizations and institutions especially designed to serve better the communities in which such organizations or institutions are located;
(E) fostering greater citizen involvement in planning the cultural development of a community; and
(F) for bicentennial programs, assessing where our society and Government stand in relation to the founding principles of the Republic, primarily focused on projects which will bring together the public and private citizen sectors in an effort to find new processes for solving problems facing our Nation in its third century.
(2)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the total amount of any payment made under this subsection for a program or project may not exceed 50 per centum of the cost of such program or project.
(B) The Chairperson, with the advice of the Council, may waive all or part of the requirement of matching funds provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, but only for the purposes described in clause (F) of paragraph (1), whenever he determines that highly meritorious proposals for grants and contracts under such clause, could not otherwise be supported from non-Federal sources or from Federal sources other than funds authorized by section 960(a)(3) of this title, unless such matching requirement is waived. Such waiver may not exceed 15 per centum of the amount appropriated in any fiscal year and available to the National Endowment for the Humanities for the purpose of this subsection.
(3) In carrying out the program authorized by this subsection, the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities shall have the same authority as is established in subsection (c) and section 959 of this title.
(i) Interagency agreements
(j) Payment of wages at prevailing rates; authority of Secretary of Labor
(k) National information and data collection system on humanities, scholars, educational and cultural groups, and audiences; development and implementation plan; state of the humanities reports
(l) Eligibility of group for financial assistanceAny group shall be eligible for financial assistance under this section only if—
(1) no part of its net earnings inures to the benefit of any private stockholder or stockholders, or individual or individuals; and
(2) donations to such group are allowable as a charitable contribution under the standards of section 170(c) of title 26.
(m) Annual awardsThe Chairperson, with the advice of the National Council on the Humanities, is authorized to make the following annual awards:
(1) The Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities Award to one individual for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities. The annual award shall not exceed $10,000.
(2) The Charles Frankel Prize to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the public understanding of the humanities. Not more than 5 individuals may receive such prize each year. Each prize shall not exceed $5,000.
(Pub. L. 89–209, § 7, Sept. 29, 1965, 79 Stat. 850; Pub. L. 90–83, § 10(b), Sept. 11, 1967, 81 Stat. 223; Pub. L. 91–346, § 8, July 20, 1970, 84 Stat. 445; Pub. L. 93–133, §§ 2(a)(6), 3, Oct. 19, 1973, 87 Stat. 464, 465; Pub. L. 94–462, title I, §§ 104(a), 105, title III, § 301(b), Oct. 8, 1976, 90 Stat. 1971, 1974, 1979; Pub. L. 96–496, title I, §§ 104, 109(c), Dec. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 2584, 2591; renumbered title I, § 7, Pub. L. 98–306, § 2, May 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 223; renumbered § 7 and amended Pub. L. 99–194, title I, §§ 101(1), 107, Dec. 20, 1985, 99 Stat. 1332, 1335; Pub. L. 101–512, title III, § 318 [title I, § 107], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1960, 1969.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 956

§ 956a. National Capital arts and cultural affairs; grant programs

There is hereby authorized a program to support artistic and cultural programs in the Nation’s Capital to be established under the direction of the Commission of Fine Arts. Not to exceed $10,000,000 annually is authorized to provide grants for general operating support to eligible organizations located in the District of Columbia whose primary purpose is performing, exhibiting and/or presenting arts.

Eligibility for grants shall be limited to not-for-profit, non-academic institutions of demonstrated national repute and is further limited to organizations having annual income, exclusive of Federal funds, in excess of $1,000,000 for each of the three years prior to receipt of a grant. Each eligible organization must have its principal place of business in the District of Columbia and in a facility or facilities located in the District of Columbia.

The Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts shall establish an application process and shall, along with the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities determine the eligibility of applicant organizations.

Of the funds provided for grants, 70 per centum shall be equally distributed among all qualifying organizations and 30 per centum shall be distributed based on the size of an organization’s total annual income, exclusive of Federal funds, compared to the combined total of the annual income, exclusive of Federal funds, of all eligible institutions. No organization shall receive a grant in excess of $650,000 in a single year.

An application process shall be established no later than March 1, 1986, and initial grants shall be awarded no later than June 1, 1986.

(Pub. L. 99–190, § 101(d) [title II, § 201], Dec. 19, 1985, 99 Stat. 1224, 1261; Pub. L. 99–500, § 101(h) [title II, § 201], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–242, 1783–281, and Pub. L. 99–591, § 101(h) [title II, § 201], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–242, 3341–281; Pub. L. 100–202, § 101(g) [title II, § 201], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–213, 1329–250; Pub. L. 101–121, title II, Oct. 23, 1989, 103 Stat. 739; Pub. L. 106–219, § 2, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 346; Pub. L. 108–81, title V, § 502(b), Sept. 25, 2003, 117 Stat. 1003; Pub. L. 111–88, div. A, title IV, § 418, Oct. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 2960; Pub. L. 112–74, div. E, title III, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 1035.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 956a

§ 957. National Council on the Humanities
(a) Establishment
(b) Composition; basis for selection of members; representation of interests; recommendations of national organizations
(c) Term of office; vacancies; reappointment
(d) Meetings; quorum
(e) Compensation and travel expenses
(f) Advisory functions: policies, programs, and procedures; review of applications for financial support; recommendations prerequisite to action of Chairperson; unilateral action by Chairperson pursuant to delegation of authority
(Pub. L. 89–209, § 8, Sept. 29, 1965, 79 Stat. 851; Pub. L. 90–348, § 4, June 18, 1968

CITE AS: 20 USC 957

§ 957a. Omitted

CITE AS: 20 USC 957a

§ 958. Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities
(a) Establishment
(b) Composition; presiding officer; changes in membership to meet changes in programs or executive branch organization
(c) Functions
The Council shall—
(1) advise and consult with the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities on major problems arising in carrying out the purposes of the Foundation;
(2) advise and consult with the National Museum Services Board and with the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services on major problems arising in carrying out the purposes of such Institute;
(3) coordinate, by advice and consultation, so far as is practicable, the policies and operations of the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, including joint support of activities, as appropriate;
(4) promote coordination between the programs and activities of the Foundation and related programs and activities of other Federal agencies;
(5) plan and coordinate appropriate participation (including productions and projects) in major and historic national events;
(6) undertake studies and make reports which address the state of the arts and humanities, particularly with respect to their economic needs and problems; and
(7) encourage an ongoing dialogue in support of the arts and the humanities among Federal agencies.
(Pub. L. 89–209, § 9, Sept. 29, 1965, 79 Stat. 851; Pub. L. 91–346, § 9, July 20, 1970, 84 Stat. 446; Pub. L. 93–133, § 2(a)(8), Oct. 19, 1973, 87 Stat. 464; Pub. L. 94–462, title II, § 208, Oct. 8, 1976, 90 Stat. 1977; Pub. L. 96–496, title I, §§ 106, 109(d), Dec. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 2587, 2591; renumbered title I, § 9, and amended Pub. L. 98–306, §§ 2, 6, May 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 223, 224; renumbered § 9 and amended Pub. L. 99–194, title I, §§ 101(1), 109, Dec. 20, 1985, 99 Stat. 1332, 1339; Pub. L. 101–512, title III, § 318 [title I, § 108], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1960, 1970; Pub. L. 103–171, § 3(b)(2), Dec. 2, 1993, 107 Stat. 1991; Pub. L. 111–340, title II, § 208(2), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3603.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 958

§ 959. Administrative provisions
(a) General authority of ChairpersonsIn addition to any authorities vested in them by other provisions of this subchapter, the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities, in carrying out their respective functions, shall each have authority—
(1) to prescribe such regulations as the Chairperson deems necessary governing the manner in which the Chairperson’s functions shall be carried out;
(2) in the discretion of the Chairperson of an Endowment, after receiving the recommendation of the National Council of that Endowment, to receive money and other property donated, bequeathed, or devised to that Endowment with or without a condition or restriction, including a condition that the Chairperson use other funds of that Endowment for the purposes of the gift, except that a Chairperson may receive a gift without a recommendation from the Council to provide support for any application or project which can be approved without Council recommendation under the provisions of sections 955(f) and 957(f) of this title, and may receive a gift of $15,000, or less, without Council recommendation in the event the Council fails to provide such recommendation within a reasonable period of time, and to use, sell, or otherwise dispose of such property for the purpose of carrying out sections 954(c) and 956(c) of this title;
(3) to appoint employees, subject to the civil service laws, as necessary to carry out the Chairperson’s functions, define their duties, and supervise and direct their activities;
(4) to utilize experts and consultants, including panels of experts, who may be employed as authorized by section 3109 of title 5;
(5) to accept and utilize the services of voluntary and uncompensated personnel and reimburse them for travel expenses, including per diem, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5 for persons in the Government service employed without compensation;
(6) to make advance, progress, and other payments without regard to section 3324 of title 31;
(7) to rent office space in the District of Columbia; and
(8) to make other necessary expenditures.
(b) Rules for distribution of donations, bequests, and devises; gifts with or without conditions; transfers for tax purposes
(1) In any case in which any money or other property is donated, bequeathed, or devised to the Foundation without designation of the Endowment for the benefit of which such property is intended, and without condition or restriction other than that it be used for the purposes of the Foundation, such property shall be deemed to have been donated, bequeathed, or devised in equal shares to each Endowment and each Chairperson of an Endowment shall have authority to receive such property.
(2) In any case in which any money or other property is donated, bequeathed, or devised to the Foundation with a condition or restriction, such property shall be deemed to have been donated, bequeathed, or devised to that Endowment whose function it is to carry out the purpose or purposes described or referred to by the terms of such condition or restriction, and each Chairperson of an Endowment shall have authority to receive such property.
(3) For the purposes of the preceding sentence, if one or more of the purposes of such a condition or restriction is covered by the functions of both Endowments, or if some of the purposes of such a condition or restriction are covered by the functions of one Endowment and other of the purposes of such a condition or restriction are covered by the functions of the other Endowment, the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities shall determine an equitable manner for distribution between each of the Endowments of the property so donated, bequeathed, or devised.
(4) For the purposes of the income tax, gift tax, and estate tax laws of the United States, any money or other property donated, bequeathed, or devised to the Foundation or one of its Endowments and received by the Chairperson of an Endowment pursuant to authority derived under this subsection shall be deemed to have been donated, bequeathed, or devised to or for the use of the United States.
(c) Advisory panels; membership; proceduresThe Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts shall utilize advisory panels to review applications, and to make recommendations to the National Council on the Arts in all cases except cases in which the Chairperson exercises authority delegated under section 955(f) of this title. When reviewing applications, such panels shall recommend applications for projects, productions, and workshops solely on the basis of artistic excellence and artistic merit. The Chairperson shall issue regulations and establish procedures—
(1) to ensure that all panels are composed, to the extent practicable, of individuals reflecting a wide geographic, ethnic, and minority representation as well as individuals reflecting diverse artistic and cultural points of view;
(2) to ensure that all panels include representation of lay individuals who are knowledgeable about the arts but who are not engaged in the arts as a profession and are not members of either artists’ organizations or arts organizations;
(3) to ensure that, when feasible, the procedures used by panels to carry out their responsibilities are standardized;
(4) to require panels—
(A) to create written records summarizing—
(i) all meetings and discussions of such panel; and
(ii) the recommendations made by such panel to the Council; and
(B) to make such records available to the public in a manner that protects the privacy of individual applicants and panel members;
(5) to require, when necessary and feasible, the use of site visitations to view the work of the applicant and deliver a written report on the work being reviewed, in order to assist panelists in making their recommendations; and
(6) to require that the membership of each panel change substantially from year to year and to provide that each individual is ineligible to serve on a panel for more than 3 consecutive years.
In making appointments to panels, the Chairperson shall ensure that an individual who has a pending application for financial assistance under this subchapter, or who is an employee or agent of an organization with a pending application, does not serve as a member of any panel before which such application is pending. The prohibition described in the preceding sentence shall commence with respect to such individual beginning on the date such application is submitted and shall continue for so long as such application is pending.
(d) Endowment activities reports
(e) Council activities reports
(f) Post-award evaluation of assisted projects, productions, and programs; reports; extension of time for compliance; failure to satisfy purposes of assistance
(1) The Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities shall conduct a post-award evaluation of projects, productions, and programs for which financial assistance is provided by their respective Endowments under sections 954(c) and 956(c) of this title. Such evaluation may include an audit to determine the accuracy of the reports required to be submitted by recipients under clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (2)(A). As a condition of receiving such financial assistance, a recipient shall comply with the requirements specified in paragraph (2) that are applicable to the project, production, or program for which such financial assistance is received.
(2)
(A) The recipient of financial assistance provided by either of the Endowments shall submit to the Chairperson of the Endowment involved—
(i) a financial report containing such information as the Chairperson deems necessary to ensure that such financial assistance is expended in accordance with the terms and conditions under which it is provided;
(ii) a report describing the project, production, or program carried out with such financial assistance; and
(iii) if practicable, as determined by the Chairperson, a copy of such project, production, or program.
(B) Such recipient shall comply with the requirements of this paragraph not later than 90 days after the end of the period for which such financial assistance is provided. The Chairperson may extend the 90-day period only if the recipient shows good cause why such an extension should be granted.
(3) If such recipient substantially fails to satisfy the purposes for which such financial assistance is provided and the criteria specified in subsection (c)(3)(A),1
1 So in original. Subsec. (c)(3) does not contain a subpar. (A).
as determined by the Chairperson of the Endowment that provided such financial assistance, then such Chairperson may—
(A) for purposes of determining whether to provide any subsequent financial assistance, take into consideration the results of the post-award evaluation conducted under this subsection;
(B) prohibit the recipient of such financial assistance to use the name of, or in any way associate such project, production, or program with the Endowment that provided such financial assistance; and
(C) if such project, production, or program is published, require that the publication contain the following statement: “The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed herein do not reflect the views of the National Endowment for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities.”
(Pub. L. 89–209, § 10, Sept. 29, 1965, 79 Stat. 852; Pub. L. 90–348, § 5, June 18, 1968, 82 Stat. 186; Pub. L. 91–346, §§ 5(a)(3), 10, 11, July 20, 1970, 84 Stat. 443, 446; Pub. L. 93–133, § 2(a)(9), (10), Oct. 19, 1973, 87 Stat. 465; Pub. L. 96–496, title I, § 107, Dec. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 2588; renumbered title I, § 10, Pub. L. 98–306, § 2, May 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 223; renumbered § 10 and amended Pub. L. 99–194, title I, §§ 101(1), 110, Dec. 20, 1985, 99 Stat. 1332, 1339; Pub. L. 101–512, title III, § 318 [title I, § 109], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1960, 1970.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 959

§ 959a. Gifts, bequests, and devises

The National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities are on and after August 2, 2005, authorized to solicit, accept, receive, and invest in the name of the United States, gifts, bequests, or devises of money and other property or services and to use such in furtherance of the functions of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any proceeds from such gifts, bequests, or devises, after acceptance by the National Endowment for the Arts or the National Endowment for the Humanities, shall be paid by the donor or the representative of the donor to the Chairman. The Chairman shall enter the proceeds in a special interest-bearing account to the credit of the appropriate endowment for the purposes specified in each case.

(Pub. L. 109–54, title IV, § 410, Aug. 2, 2005, 119 Stat. 551.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 959a

§ 960. Authorization of appropriations
(a) Contracts, grants-in-aid, and loans to groups, individuals, public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations; availability of appropriations; guidelines
(1)
(A)
(i) For the purpose of carrying out section 954(c) of this title, there are authorized to be appropriated to the National Endowment for the Arts $125,800,000 for fiscal year 1991 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1992 and 1993.
(ii) For fiscal years—(I) 1991 and 1992 not less than 25 percent of the amount appropriated for the respective fiscal year; and(II) 1993 not less than 27.5 percent of the amount appropriated for such fiscal year;
shall be for carrying out section 954(g) of this title.
(iii) For fiscal years—(I) 1991 and 1992 not less than 5 percent of the amount appropriated for the respective fiscal year; and(II) 1993 not less than 7.5 percent of the amount appropriated for such fiscal year;
shall be for carrying out programs under section 954(p)(2) of this title (relating to programs to expand public access to the arts in rural and innercity areas). Not less than 50 percent of the funds required by this clause to be used for carrying out such programs shall be used for carrying out such programs in rural areas.
(B) For the purpose of carrying out section 956(c) of this title, there are authorized to be appropriated to the National Endowment for the Humanities $119,900,000 for fiscal year 1991 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1992 and 1993. Of the sums so appropriated for any fiscal year, not less than 20 per centum shall be for carrying out section 956(f) of this title.
(2)
(A) There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year ending before October 1, 1993, to the National Endowment for the Arts an amount equal to the sum of—
(i) the total amounts received by such Endowment under section 959(a)(2) of this title, including the value of property donated, bequeathed, or devised to such Endowment; and
(ii) the total amounts received by the grantees of such Endowment from non-Federal sources, including the value of property donated, bequeathed, or devised to such grantees, for use in carrying out projects and other activities under paragraph (1) through paragraph (10) of section 954(c) of this title;
except that the amounts so appropriated to the National Endowment for the Arts shall not exceed $13,000,000 for fiscal year 1991 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1992 and 1993.
(B) There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year ending before October 1, 1993, to the National Endowment for the Humanities an amount equal to the sum of—
(i) the total amounts received by such Endowment under section 959(a)(2) of this title, including the value of property donated, bequeathed, or devised to such Endowment; and
(ii) the total amounts received by the grantees and subgrantees of such Endowment from non-Federal sources, including the value of property donated, bequeathed, or devised to such grantees and subgrantees, for use in carrying out activities under paragraph (1) through paragraph (10) of section 956(c) of this title;
except that the amounts so appropriated to the National Endowment for the Humanities shall not exceed $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1991 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1992 and 1993.
(3)
(A) There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year ending before October 1, 1993, to the National Endowment for the Arts an amount equal to the sum of—
(i) the total amounts received by such Endowment, including the value of property donated, bequeathed, or devised to such Endowment, for the purposes set forth in section 954(p)(1) of this title pursuant to the authority of section 959(a)(2) of this title; and
(ii) the total amounts received by the grantees of such Endowment from non-Federal sources, including the value of property donated, bequeathed, or devised to such grantees, for use in carrying out activities under subparagraph (A) through subparagraph (F) of section 954(p)(1) of this title;
except that the amounts so appropriated to such Endowment shall not exceed $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1991 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1992 and 1993.
(B) There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year ending before October 1, 1993, to the National Endowment for the Humanities an amount equal to the sum of—
(i) the total amounts received by such Endowment, including the value of property donated, bequeathed, or devised to such Endowment, for the purposes set forth in section 956(h)(1) of this title pursuant to the authority of section 959(a)(2) of this title; and
(ii) the total amounts received by the grantees of such Endowment from non-Federal sources, including the value of property donated, bequeathed, or devised to such grantees, for use in carrying out activities under subparagraph (A) through subparagraph (F) of section 956(h)(1) of this title;
except that the amounts so appropriated to such Endowment shall not exceed $15,150,000 for fiscal year 1991 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1992 and 1993.
(C) Sums appropriated pursuant to subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B) for any fiscal year shall remain available for obligation and expenditure until expended.
(4) The Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities, as the case may be, shall issue guidelines to implement the provisions of paragraph (2) and paragraph (3). Such guidelines shall be consistent with the requirements of section 954(e), section 954(l)(2),1
1 See References in Text note below.
section 956(f), and section 956(h)(2) of this title, as the case may be, regarding total Federal support of activities, programs, proj­ects, or productions carried out under authority of this subchapter.
(b) Availability of appropriated unexpended funds; notice of availability of funds by advance appropriation
(1) Sums appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) for any fiscal year shall remain available for obligation and expenditure until expended.
(2) In order to afford adequate notice to interested persons of available assistance under this subchapter, appropriations authorized under subsection (a) are authorized to be included in the measure making appropriations for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which such appropriations become available for obligation.
(c) Administrative appropriations
(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Endowment for the Arts $21,200,000” 2
2 So in original. The closing quotation marks probably should not appear.
for fiscal year 1991 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1992 and 1993, to administer the provisions of this subchapter, or any other program for which the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts is responsible, including not to exceed $50,000 for each such fiscal year for official reception and representation expenses. The total amount which may be obligated or expended for such expenses for fiscal year 1995 through the use of appropriated funds or any other source of funds shall not exceed $100,000.
(2) There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Endowment for the Humanities $17,950,000 for fiscal year 1991 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1992 and 1993, to administer the provisions of this subchapter, or any other program for which the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities is responsible, including not to exceed $50,000 for each such fiscal year for official reception and representation expenses. The total amount which may be obligated or expended for such expenses for fiscal year 1995 through the use of appropriated funds or any other source of funds shall not exceed $100,000.
(d) Total amount of appropriations
(1) The total amount of appropriations to carry out the activities of the National Endowment for the Arts shall not exceed—
(A) $167,060,000 for fiscal year 1986,
(B) $170,206,400 for fiscal year 1987, and
(C) $177,014,656 for fiscal year 1988.
(2) The total amount of appropriations to carry out the activities for the National Endowment for the Humanities shall not exceed—
(A) $139,878,000 for fiscal year 1986,
(B) $145,057,120 for fiscal year 1987, and
(C) $150,859,405 for fiscal year 1988.
(e) Prohibition of grants to production workshops using admission proceeds for unauthorized purposes
(f) Availability of appropriations for arts education
(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), in any fiscal year in which the aggregate amount appropriated to the National Endowment for the Arts exceeds $175,000,000, 50 percent of such excess shall be available to carry out section 954a of this title.
(2) In each fiscal year, the amount made available to carry out section 954a of this title shall not exceed $40,000,000, in the aggregate.
(3) Funds made available to carry out section 954a of this title shall remain available until expended.
(Pub. L. 89–209, § 11, Sept. 29, 1965, 79 Stat. 853; Pub. L. 90–348, § 6, June 18, 1968, 82 Stat. 187; Pub. L. 91–346, §§ 5(a)(4), 12, July 20, 1970, 84 Stat. 444, 446; Pub. L. 93–133, § 2(a)(11), Oct. 19, 1973, 87 Stat. 465; Pub. L. 94–462, title I, § 106(a), title III, § 302, title IV, § 401(b), Oct. 8, 1976, 90 Stat. 1974, 1980, 1981; Pub. L. 94–555, title II, § 219(b), Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2629; Pub. L. 96–496, title I, § 108, Dec. 4, 1980, 94 Stat. 2589; renumbered title I, § 11, and amended Pub. L. 98–306, §§ 2, 7, May 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 223, 224; renumbered § 11 and amended Pub. L. 99–194, title I, §§ 101(1), 111, Dec. 20, 1985, 99 Stat. 1332, 1342; Pub. L. 99–362, § 1, July 9, 1986, 100 Stat. 769; Pub. L. 101–512, title III, § 318 [title I, §§ 103(i)(2), 110], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1960, 1966, 1972; Pub. L. 103–382, title III, § 371, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3977.)

CITE AS: 20 USC 960