Congressman Faleomavaega today announced that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recently awarded $299,200 in federal funding to the American Samoa Council on Arts, Culture & Humanities (Arts Council) through a Partnership Agreement grant.

American Samoa’s Partnership Agreement award will extend the NEA’s reach and impact by providing support to the Arts Council in developing long-range strategic plans that help to position the arts as an integral part of cultural tourism, community revitalization, economic development, education, and health and human services.

The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities.  This year, Partnership Agreement awards were given to 49 state arts agencies, including the territories, and to the country’s 6 regional arts organizations, amounting to more than $48.8 million through this category for fiscal year 2012.

In a recent announcement from the NEA, Chairman Rocco Landesman announced that the NEA will award a grant total of 928 grants totaling $77.17 million this year to not-for-profit organizations nationwide.  These grants support exemplary projects that will give the public increasing opportunities to engage with the arts.  In his statement, Chairman Landesman said, “The arts should be a part of everyday life. Whether it’s seeing a performance, visiting a gallery, participating in an art class, or simply taking a walk around a neighborhood enhanced by public art, these grants are ensuring that across the nation, the public is able to experience how art works.”

“I thank Chairman Rocco Landesman and his team at the National Endowment for the Arts for their consistent efforts in making sure that the arts remain a vital aspect of our communities nationwide.  Specifically for American Samoa, the arts are an integral aspect of our unique cultural contribution to the American family and to our Pacific neighbors.  I am thankful that this important federal funding is being dedicated to supporting projects with this critical goal in mind,” Congressman Faleomavaega stated.

“I also commend American Samoa Council on Arts, Cultural, and Humanities Executive Director Le’ala Pili and her staff at the Arts Council for their tireless commitment to ensuring that American Samoa benefits from this important grant funding,” Faleomavaega added.

“I look forward to the projects and activities that the Arts Council will continue to implement for the benefit of our Territory, preserving our cultural arts for future generations to come,” the Congressman concluded.