When President Johnson established the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), their initial funding was quite limited, with the NEH starting in 1966 with $5.9 million and the NEA at $2.9 million. However, during Richard Nixon's presidency, both organizations experienced significant funding increases. This growth laid the groundwork for a broader cultural investment in the arts and humanities in the United States.
Notably, strong leadership within the NEA came from Republican appointees, highlighting a bipartisan commitment to the arts. Nancy Hanks, who held her position under Nixon and Ford, and Gioia, appointed by George W. Bush, played crucial roles in expanding the influence and reach of these institutions, demonstrating that support for the arts transcended party lines during their tenures.