Policymakers agree that cultural exchange is critical to our security efforts around the world, and that it helps to build bridges among people of different countries, cultures and faiths. An increase for the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will strengthen exchange and collaboration in the arts and cultural fields.

Funding for cultural exchange has never recovered since the elimination of the United States Information Agency (USIA) and USIA’s Arts America Program. State Department cultural exchange program funds are climbing from a low point of only $2 million a few years ago to an estimated $11 million in FY08. An increased appropriation would expand the State Department’s ability to foster mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries.

Advocates should urge Congress to increase funding by $10 million for the Cultural Programs Division of the State Department’s Office of Citizen Exchanges. This funding should be directed to the Professional Exchanges and Cultural Grant Program, which provides grants to arts organizations to carry out exchange programs abroad; and the Performing Arts Initiatives, which provides financial support to U.S. Embassies for the presentation of American performing arts and artists.

View the full Cultural Exchange Issue Brief then take action to improve cultural exchange at the U.S. Department of State. Please visit the Performing Arts Alliance online to e-mail your elected officials today!

• Cultural Exchange Funding and Resource List
  This comprehensive list provides cultural exchange funding and resources which are available from the private, government and nonprofit sectors.
• State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
  The State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, through its Cultural Programs Division, supports a variety of cultural exchange programs that further our nation's foreign policy, foster America's artistic excellence and promote mutual understanding and respect for other cultures and traditions.