This message is directed toward Directors, Art Museum Members of AAM From: Edward H. Able, Jr. and the AAM Government Affairs Dept. I wanted you to know immediately about some significant changes underway at the NEA which are of great concern. We have been informed that the NEA has decided not to fill the current vacancies for the Directors of the Opera Musical Theater, Presenting and Commissioning, and Museum Programs, and to have the former two programs report to the Director of the Music Program while the Museum Program would report to the Director of the Visual Arts Program. We also understand, however, that NEA is proceeding to hire a new Director of Theater Program. In a conversation with the Senior Deputy at NEA, I was told that these actions were in response to directives from the Administration to reduce the size of the government workforce and also in consequence of the recent 2% cut in the agency's budget. We are, of course, very concerned about these changes, as are the other affected cultural sectors and their service organizations. We are working in concert with the other affected communities and making our concerns known to NEA Chairman Jane Alexander, and we will keep you advised of any further actions we might ask you to take in this matter. If you have thoughts about this action, we would of course be pleased to hear from you. cc: AAM Board of Directors The AAM Goverment Affairs Office can be reached by sending e-mail to: [log in to unmask] or contacting: Andy Finch, Kristin Walker, or Jason Hall AAM Government Affairs 1225 Eye St. NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20005 phone: 202/289-9125 or 9126 fax: 202/289-6578