Arts agencies to get highest funding in 16 years

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal funding of arts and cultural programs would reach its highest level in 16 years under a bill heading to the White House.

President Barack Obama was expected to sign the Interior Appropriations bill this weekend. It includes money for the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities.

The bill passed by Congress on Thursday would give $167.5 million to each agency in fiscal 2010. That's up from last year's budget of $155 million.

The increase comes after an aggressive push by lobbyists to show that arts organizations create jobs across the country.

The bill also includes increases for the Smithsonian Institution, the Kennedy Center and the National Gallery of Art.