Passage 3

Jayden Hairston was very disappointed. More than anything in the world, he wanted to learn how to sing. His school in Yonkers—just north of New York City—didn’t offer the music instruction he needed. So he begged his parents to sign him for after-school lessons.

Jayden’s mother wanted to help her son follow his passion. (79)But private lessons were too expensive.Jayden, then 6 years old, knew exactly what to do. He took out his iPad. Then he began searching after-school arts programs. He soon came across the website for Harlem School of the Arts (HSA), in New York City. There, he could take voice

and dance lessons. It was a bit far from Yonkers. But he convinced his parents to take him for a visit.

That was three years ago. Now Jayden is one of HSA’S most active students. He takes singing, dancing, or theater lessons almost every day after school. (80)Last year, he performed in seven productions.

Like Jayden, students in many communities across the United States have limited access (使用的机会或权利) to arts instruction in schools.HSA is one of many nonprofit groups that bridges this gap by offering affordable arts classes. Groups like HSA are funded by donations (捐赠) and state grants. Many also receive money from the federal government’s National Endowment (基金)for the Arts (NEA).

The NEA was established in 1965. Its goal is to promote access to the arts for all Americans. Some people, however, believe it’s not the responsibility of the federal government to provide arts funding. President Donald Trump’s 2019 proposal calls on Congress to reduce NEA funding and eventually eliminate the agency, The Trump administration argues that “private and other public sources” already provide funding for the arts. Congress has yet to make a decision.

Supporters of arts education say cutting the NEA is a bad idea. It could leave many children unable to participate In the arts. That’s because 40% of the agency’s grants go to high-poverty neighborhoods.