NEW YORK—Two nonprofit arts advocacy organizations, Americans for the Arts and Business Committee for the Arts, are merging to create the largest group of its kind in the private sector, reports Crain’s New York Business. The partnership is expected to strengthen the overall ability of the groups to generate increased support for the arts and arts education from the private sector.

Robert Lynch, chief executive officer of Americans for the Arts, said the plans for the merger preceded the recent financial crisis and were more in tune with the shifting relationship between the private sector and the arts over the past few years. “Despite recent modest gains in overall giving, the market share of private funding for the arts is nearly one-third less than it was in the early 1990s. By combining our interests and strengths, we will be able to effectively address the challenges ahead.”

The merger is awaiting final approval from the New York Supreme Court, which is expected to rule by March. No layoffs are expected if the plan moves ahead.