Kennedy Center to Help Arts Programs in Economic Trouble

"Everything is diminished in this environment," says Ivey, a former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts who hopes the $50 million for the NEA in the House version of the economic stimulus bill survives. "At the end of the day, it is about money, not just advice," he says.

The Kennedy Center's program received $500,000 mainly from two individuals: board member Helen Lee Henderson and Adrienne Arsht, a Miami businesswoman and philanthropist. The amount partially funds projects for the next year, including administrative costs such as travel to the Kennedy Center for organization staff members. "We don't feel these problems are ending soon," Kaiser said.