Created by an act of Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence.

Between 1965 and 2008, the agency made in excess of 128,000 grants, totaling more than $4 billion. From the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, Congress granted the NEA annual funding of between $160 million and $180 million. In 1996, Congress cut the NEA funding to $99.5 million. Funding has since partially recovered, with the budget set at $145 million in fiscal 2008 and $155 million in 2009.

The past 25 years have seen public financing for the arts under assault by a variety of conservative groups that object to funding that supports controversial artwork centering on sexual or religious themes.

Ronald Reagan intended to abolish the NEA completely over a three-year period upon entering the office in 1981. However, his plan was abandoned when the president's special task force on the arts and humanities, which included close Reagan allies such as conservatives Charlton Heston and Joseph Coors, concluded that continued federal support was important.

The Republican Revolution of 1994 cleared the way for House Speaker Newt Gingrich to lead a renewed attack on the NEA. Gingrich called for the NEA to be eliminated completely along with the other major source of federal support for the arts, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. However, his plans were also thwarted.

Also created by an act of Congress, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting promotes public broadcasting both in television and through support for National Public Radio. Historically, 15 to 20 percent of revenues of all public broadcasting stations have been funded from federal sources.

FACEOFF Question: Should government provide funding to support the arts?