Bonamici Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Growth of Arts Organizations

WASHINGTON, DC [11/20/25] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) introduced bipartisan legislation to grow the economy and expand the reach of arts organizations, local arts agencies, and museums.

The Capital, Repairs, and Employment for Art Talent to Improve Visibility Everywhere (CREATIVE) Act, HR 6165, will help revitalize communities by supporting arts organizations that build new facilities, improve existing facilities, hire staff, and produce art. 

“Arts organizations enrich communities, bring people together, and provide jobs,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “The CREATIVE Act will help arts organizations hire staff and make needed improvements to best serve their neighborhoods.” 

The legislation has been endorsed by: Americans for the Arts, Americans for the Arts Action Fund, Grantmakers in the Arts, American Alliance of Museums, American Circus Alliance, Association of Art Museum Directors, Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, National Association for Music Education, National Association of Music Merchants, Professional Non-Profit Theatre Coalition, and the South Carolina Arts Alliance.

“Americans for the Arts strongly supports Rep. Bonamici’s CREATIVE Act. This legislation addresses critical infrastructure needs for cultural facilities while creating direct employment opportunities for artists and creative professionals when arts organizations need this support more than ever,” said Erin Harkley, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “By prioritizing rural and underserved communities that need arts access most, this bill tackles both immediate workforce needs and long-term capacity building. Rep. Bonamici is a tireless champion of the arts, and we celebrate the introduction of this critical legislation during National Arts and Humanities Month.” 

"It is essential that community voice informs the development of cultural facilities," said Eddie Torres, President and CEO, Grantmakers in the Arts. "It is more important than ever that we support workers, including those who work in cultural facilities. This includes our supporting the maintenance and repair of cultural facilities as well as their workers. Representative Bonamici's proposed legislation aims to give community members agency and voice and to ensure that they are paid as workers."

The CREATIVE Act would:

1. Expand Access to Capital for Facilities: Provides local arts agencies (LAAs), museums, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and performance organizations with the eligibility to apply for and receive one of three grants of up to $5 million from a newly authorized, $700 million program to construct and acquire new facilities, maintain and improve existing facilities, or hire staff or produce art at existing facilities;
2. Seek Community Input: Requires eligible entities to include in their application information about how their arts programs will benefit the community served by the eligible entity, how the entity will solicit input from diverse stakeholders, and how the entity will continue to operate its facility once grant funds have expired;
3. Reach Underserved Communities: Assigns grant priority based on factors such as having limited accessibility to the arts, expressing a desire to produce art that is underrepresented in popular culture, having limited financial means to self-fund such projects, and proposing to further art education for the population served by the eligible entity;
4. Create Strong Guardrails: Promotes accountability for grant funds by instituting reporting requirements and a procedure for returning unused or misspent funds to the Department of Commerce; and
5. Prioritize Rural Outreach: Directs the Secretary of Commerce to reserve up to 25 percent of total grant funds for distribution to eligible entities located in rural communities. 

The CREATIVE Act is cosponsored by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Mike Carey (R-OH). 

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