We believe that robust artistic expression is a hallmark of a free and healthy society. Supporting the arts and creative expression is what the NEA does every day, by providing vital funds to both artists and the organizations that support them. Wave Farm is one organization that counts on these funds to continue our mission of providing access to transmission technologies and support artists and organizations that engage with media as an art form.

With an annual budget of $146 million, funding the NEA costs the average American taxpayer just 46 cents per year. Despite its modest budget, the impact of NEA support on arts communities is immeasurable. Furthermore, jobs at organizations that receive NEA funding will be seriously jeopardized if it is eliminated.

Preserving the NEA is possible, but will require that those who support it act swiftly. If you do, consider emailing or phoning your representative or sharing your support with your friends and family today.

With thanks, Wave Farm Staff

Here are some things that you can do to help today to help #SAVEtheNEA, from the Americans for the Arts Action Fund.

The White House released its proposed budget to Congress this week, officially recommending full termination of funding of both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for FY2018. This is the first American President in history to propose zeroing out all funding for the nation's federal cultural agencies.

Eliminating the NEA would be a devastating blow to the arts in America. For more than 50 years, the NEA has expanded access to the arts for all Americans, awarding grants in every Congressional district throughout all 50 states and U.S. Territories as well as placing arts therapists in 12 military hospitals to help returning soldiers heal from traumatic brain injuries. The NEA is also an economic powerhouse, generating more than $600 million annually in additional matching funds and helping to shape a $730 billion arts and culture industry that represents 4.2% of the nation's GDP and supports 4.8 million jobs.

The federal appropriations process does not end here. We now begin a concerted grassroots effort to convince Congress to #SaveTheNEA. Here are the actions you can take right now:

The most important thing you can do is to take two minutes to send a customizable message to your elected representatives in Congress and urge them to oppose any attempt to eliminate or cut funding to the NEA. Post on Facebook and Twitter to help rally national support to save the NEA. There is strength in numbers and your social media friends can help.