At 12:01 October 1, federal fiscal year 2014 began without an appropriation of funding from Congress. As a result, a partial federal shutdown is now in effect. Most federal offices—including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)—are closed. The shutdown comes after weeks of often tense negotiations between leaders in the House and Senate and President Obama over how to structure a short-term spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, failed to yield an agreement.
How long the shutdown will last is unclear at this time. Key legislators from both parties remain in Washington, and can hold a vote in short order to fund the government should an agreement be reached.
NASAA will continue to monitor this situation closely and make you aware of any developments. The NEA State & Regional office issued a memo last Friday reassuring states that current Partnership Agreement grant funds already awarded by the NEA are not in jeopardy due to the shutdown. The October 1 deadline for states applying for federal FY2014 funds remains in effect. The NEA’s State & Regional office staff are furloughed and are prohibited from responding to phone calls or e-mails, but grants.gov is expected to be available on-line.
I am available to answer any specific questions you have, and can be reached at isaac@38northsolutions.com or 202-540-9162.
Windham Arts