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119-hr-6165119th CongressWALLET

CREATIVE Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

In Committee

Summary

Boost arts jobs and facilities. This bill would create a Commerce Department grant program to hire and retain professional artists, build or upgrade arts venues, and repair or improve facilities that support productions and community arts programs.

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  • Artists and arts workers: Hiring and Production grants would fund pay for performers, writers, artists, and related staff with awards up to $5 million and a five year period to spend the funds.
  • Organizations and venues: Eligible nonprofits, museums, local arts agencies, and qualifying professional theaters could seek construction or acquisition grants up to $3 million and maintenance and improvement grants up to $3 million. Each eligible entity may receive only one grant under the section.
  • Communities and equity: The Secretary would prioritize projects serving areas with limited arts access, linguistically or culturally diverse populations, people with disabilities, and rural communities. Up to 25% of annual funds would be reserved for rural entities.

*Authorizes $700 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund the program, increasing federal outlays over that period.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New federal arts grant program

If enacted, the bill would create the Creative Economy Revitalization and Workforce Development Program at the Commerce Department. The program would be funded at $700 million each year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Each year the Secretary would reserve up to 25% for rural projects and could set aside up to 30% for maintenance grants, up to 1% for technical help, and up to 0.5% for Economic Development Administration staff. The bill would define who counts as eligible entities, arts labor organizations, professional nonprofit theaters, and rural communities for the program.

Grants for hires, building, repairs

If enacted, the program would offer three grant types. Hiring and production grants would be available up to $5 million each and remain available for 5 years to hire or pay professional performers and related staff. Construction and acquisition grants would be up to $3 million each, available for 5 years, and must include a commitment to provide full‑time, gainful jobs after project completion. Maintenance and improvement grants would be up to $3 million each, available for 3 years, and must support gainful employment during and after the grant. An eligible organization could receive only one grant from the program.

Priority rules and labor promises

If enacted, the Secretary would give priority to grant applications that serve places with limited arts access, underrepresented or culturally diverse groups, people with disabilities, and rural communities. Applicants would need to show community outreach and input from low‑income people, people with disabilities, and arts labor organizations. Applications would also need to describe governance steps for representation, plans to continue facility operations, and attestations to respect collective bargaining and to follow labor and safety standards under 20 U.S.C. 954(m).

Grantee rules, reports, and limits

If enacted, grantees would have to file annual reports during each grant year showing how funds were used and effects on access, disparities, and employment. The Secretary would publish each report on the EDA website within 180 days. The Secretary would regularly review grantees and could require unspent funds to be returned unless the Secretary allows more time in writing. Grantees would have to use federal money to supplement, not replace, non‑Federal funds. The bill would bar using program funds for activities that trigger Labor‑Management Reporting and Disclosure Act section 203(a) reporting.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

OR • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 12/1/2025

  • Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

  • Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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