States in the U.S. filling funding void from Trump's cultural programs, lost Madonna and Child painting set for return to Italy, and other morning links on July 22, 2025
In the face of proposed cuts to federal cultural agencies by the Trump administration, many US states have stepped up to support their arts and humanities sectors. This has been evident in the fiscal year 2026 budget, where states have allocated approximately $650 million, despite a 7.4 percent drop from 2025 levels.
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), among other federal agencies, have faced significant reductions and even eliminations of grants. This has forced numerous arts organisations to seek alternative funding sources, with some states like Pennsylvania and Nebraska experiencing sudden funding terminations.
Pennsylvania, in particular, has been affected severely, as federal funds previously made up a large portion of some organisations' budgets. For instance, the PA Humanities lost 60% of its annual budget with the NEH grant termination. State and local entities, as well as private donors, are becoming increasingly crucial in filling these gaps. However, Pennsylvania's per-capita state funding remains significantly lower than its neighbouring states, exacerbating the impact.
Despite these challenges, 29 states have actually increased their arts agency budgets in fiscal year 2026. Florida, North Dakota, Connecticut, and Oregon are among those that have increased their arts appropriations, helping offset overall losses.
The Centre d'Art in Haiti, one of the oldest art institutions in the Caribbean, has faced challenges with gang violence, with artworks being rescued under gunfire. Meanwhile, in a positive development, after years of advocacy by Art Recovery International, Barbara de Dozsa agreed to return a stolen painting unconditionally.
In cultural news, the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin will re-screen a film by the late British artist Derek Jarman, featuring a kiss between two men. Moreover, Wallace and Gromit will feature in a major exhibition at the Harris Museum in Lancashire, England, following its renovation.
In international news, Ukrainian cultural NGO The Shadows Project launched The Stolen Art Campaign, aiming to challenge the mislabelling of Ukrainian artists in major museums worldwide. Additionally, a 16th-century Madonna and Child painting by Italian artist Antonio Solario, known as Lo Zingaro, will be returned to Italy after resurfacing in 2017.
SWEATY BETTY: Eight museums in New York have been listed with their AC settings, ranging from 67° at the Brooklyn Museum to 74° at the Noguchi Museum.
While Trump's administration's cuts to federal arts and humanities funding have been severe and disruptive, leading to canceled and postponed programming and uncertainty for many organisations, most US states have responded by preserving or modestly growing their own funding streams to support their arts and humanities agencies. This has helped to mitigate the fallout and sustain the sector's recovery, especially post-pandemic.
- Pennsylvania's arts organisations, due to funding terminations from federal agencies, are seeking support from state and local entities, private donors, and have increased their reliance on these sources to fill budget gaps.
- In contrast, despite federal cuts, 29 states have actually increased their arts agency budgets in fiscal year 2026, with Florida, North Dakota, Connecticut, and Oregon being among those that have increased their arts appropriations.
- The Centre d'Art in Haiti, an old art institution in the Caribbean, has been affected by gang violence, rescued artworks under gunfire, while internationally, a 16th-century Madonna and Child painting by Antonio Solario has been returned to Italy after resurfacing in 2017.
- The Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin will re-screen a film by the late British artist Derek Jarman, featuring a kiss between two men, and Wallace and Gromit will feature in a major exhibition at the Harris Museum in Lancashire, England, following its renovation.
- In policy and legislation related to arts, Ukrainian cultural NGO The Shadows Project launched The Stolen Art Campaign, aiming to challenge the mislabelling of Ukrainian artists in major museums worldwide, and SWEATY BETTY listed eight museums in New York with their AC settings, from 67° at the Brooklyn Museum to 74° at the Noguchi Museum.
