5 May 2025
A recent White House budget proposal called for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and other cultural agencies in FY26.
Action Alert: Write your member of Congress and encourage them to support federal arts funding >>
On Friday morning, the White House issued a FY26 budget proposal to Congress that calls for the elimination of the National Endowment for theArts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
- This was not an unexpected move, since the President included this proposal all four years of his prior term of office. It is important to note that the President’s budget proposal is the beginning of the appropriations process, and these are simply recommendations. Despite previous calls for elimination, Congress actually increased funding for arts and culture during the previous Trump administration.
Grant Cancellations
Later that evening, many direct grantees received a notice of termination from the NEA. The termination date for these NEA grants is May 31, 2025, and payment requests can be made until June 30, 2025. Cancelled grantees also have seven days to appeal this decision.
The South Carolina Arts Alliance is working to identify terminated grants in South Carolina. In some cases (but not all), grantees may have already completed their project and/or received all funding, presumably insulating them from this particular action. The South Carolina Arts Commission’s Agency Partnership grant has not been cancelled.
The notice included the following rationale for termination:
The NEA is updating its grantmaking policy priorities to focus funding on projects that reflect the nation’s rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President. Consequently, we are terminating awards that fall outside these new priorities. The NEA will now prioritize projects that elevate the Nation’s HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions, celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, foster AI competency, empower houses of worship to serve communities, assist with disaster recovery, foster skilled trade jobs, make America healthy again, support the military and veterans, support Tribal communities, make the District of Columbia safe and beautiful, and support the economic development of Asian American communities. Funding is being allocated in a new direction in furtherance of the Administration’s agenda.
Staff Reduction
We have also learned that at least 50% of the staff will be voluntarily leaving the NEA at the end of May. This action, coupled with prior staff reductions, raises concerns about the agency’s ability to meet its statutory duties.
Next Steps
The SCAA is working with our national partners and other state and regional allies from across the country on a coordinated response to the president’s budget proposal and the canceled NEA grants, as well as any current or future funding or staffing cuts to the federal cultural agencies.
- Advocates are encouraged to write their members of Congress here. The campaign has a prewritten message for you, but you are encouraged to use the resources below to customize your message.
- Arts and Culture organizations are also encouraged to complete this Pulse Check survey from Americans for the Arts.
Crafting Your Message
- Be respectful. The arts must remain a bi-partisan, consensus benefit to all — not a wedge issue.
- Maximize communication. If you send an email, follow up with a phone call — and vice versa.
- Tell a personal story. Members of Congress need to know about the real impact that federal arts funding has had in their communities — past, present, and future. Remember that the South Carolina Arts Commission is support by an annual NEA grant, which is then leveraged with State funds to reach all 46 counties in South Carolina!
- Focus on these key talking points from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies:
- The NEA is committed to efficiency. Since inauguration, the agency has proactively streamlined its grant programs, downsized the agency workforce and used technology well. It manages a high volume of grants competitively adjudicated by citizen panels on the basis of merit.
- The NEA is an important partner in attaining White House goals such as the national America 250 celebration. State arts agencies are an essential part of that effort. 100% of state arts agencies are actively engaging in America 250 planning and programming: 87% are planning to make grants, 96% are active promotional partners, and more than two-thirds serve on America 250 commissions or committees. Disruption of federal support to state arts agencies could weaken America 250 efforts across the country.
- The arts and creative industries give America’s economy a competitive edge, achieving a $36.8 billion trade surplus and adding $1.2 trillion in value to the U.S. gross domestic product. The NEA and state arts agencies catalyze cultural production and grow the talent pool for this important American industry that creates 5.4 million jobs on American soil.
- The NEA offers a big bang for the buck. Every $1 the NEA invests in grants leverages $9 in local and private match—a tremendous return on investment.
- While many industries produce jobs and revenue, only the arts offer a fivefold bottom line that strengthens America. Arts activity supported by the NEA and state arts agencies boosts economic productivity, improves education outcomes, fosters civic cohesion, facilitates good health, and preserves our cherished heritage and traditions for future generations. These are consensus values that all Americans want for their communities and families.
More resources
- Return on Investment: Public Arts Funding – Resources from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
- Statement and Resources from Americans for the Arts
- Advocacy Tools and Resources from Arts Action Fund/Americans for the Arts
- Impact Information from the National Endowment for the Arts
