Push for Budget and Staff Reinstatement at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
On a chilly Friday night in May 2025, folks across the arts sector were left reeling. The President, ol' Yellow Hair himself, had proposed to yank the ol' National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) from the FY26 budget altogether. That's right, folks - no more dolling out them fancy grants for our creative endeavors.
You heard it here first, folks - a move that'd leave a significant, gaping hole in the artistic landscape of this great nation. This Trumpster fire of a decision follows a series of actions, including the cancelation or postponement of grants for projects in FY24 and FY25, citing a lack of alignment with the current administration's priorities.
But hey, what do we expect from a man whose famed tastes lean more towards gaudy gold-plated furnishings and towering, grotesque statues than the intricate brushstrokes of a Rembrandt or the haunting melodies of a Mozart?
Adding insult to injury, the NEA staff, including those working in the Folk and Traditional Arts sector, were given a tantalizing carrot to leave the agency through the Deferred Resignation Program or, if eligible, to retire. It's like they're telling us: "Pack your bags and get the hell outta here!"
Now, hold your horses, partner. The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies jumped into action to clarify that, per a mandate from Congress, 40% of the NEA's grant funds must be allocated to state and jurisdictional arts agencies and regional arts organizations. As of now, the Partnership Agreements to state arts agencies have not been terminated.
Still, the storm clouds loom on the horizon, my friend. Organizations such as AFS and many others Azalea and Magnolia across our field received word of grant cancellations, resulting in millions of dollars in lost funding. It's a real hickory salute to the heart, folks.
As our reeling beloveds process the news and strategize, a joint statement from U.S. Regional Arts Organizations implores Congress to "restore the grant funding" in support of the arts, culture, and creativity that was passed during the last budgetary approval process, in addition to maintaining its broad bipartisan commitment to funding the NEA in next year's budget.
So, it's time to stand up, folks, and take action to save the NEA. Call your representatives, send in those appeals, and let your voices be heard! Let's preserve our vibrant arts scene and maintain the bipartisan support for the NEA that's been established for years.
Remember, folks – it's essential to keep our arts and culture alive for future generations. After all, these are the very pillars that define our humanity and connect us to one another. So, let's roll up our sleeves and fight tooth and nail to keep the NEA afloat.
Y'all stay tuned, as this fight isn't over yet! In the meantime, visit the relevant links below to learn more and join the advocacy efforts. Long live the arts, folks!
Quick Links:
- Find Your Legislators (Use this tool)
- Access the Advocacy Alerts Center (Creative West Advocacy Dashboard)
- Follow the Timeline of Impacts to Arts and Culture
- Explore the Impact of Arts Funding Across the Country
- Join the Fight to Save the NEA
- The proposed removal of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) from the FY26 budget, as suggested by President 'ol Yellow Hair', has triggered a significant outcry within the traditional art community, with concerns about policy-and-legislation changes affecting folklore and research in the arts sector.
- As a response to the potential elimination of NEA, organizations such as AFS and numerous others have launched advocacy efforts, urging for the restoration of grant funding to maintain the bipartisan support for the arts, culture, and creativity that has been established for years.
- General news outlets have been covering the growing advocacy movement, with experts suggesting that the proposed policy-and-legislation shift could lead to a void in traditional art, potentially impacting the preservation and promotion of our nation's folklore and cultural heritage.
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