Federal Updates

In the past month, the Trump administration has moved to dismantle multiple agencies. (Read more here). These actions pose a potential threat to the long-term viability of the arts, culture, and humanities sectors. On Friday, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grantees received letters rescinding promised grants and instructions to submit a final payment for “actual, allowable, approved costs incurred during the revised period of performance.” These unprecedented actions will likely face legal challenges in the near future. However, their immediate impact is chilling and destabilizing. 

The NEA council met last week to hear from Mary Anne Carter, Senior Advisor at the National Endowment for the Arts. Ms. Carter reported that the agency planned to continue to provide partnership grants to regional arts agencies and state arts agencies.

Additionally, on May 2, President Trump submitted a FY26 budget proposal to Congress. Specifically, his proposed budget eliminates funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). These cuts are part of a broader proposal to reduce non-defense discretionary spending by 22.6%, while significantly increasing funding for defense and homeland security.

State Updates

The next step in the CA budget process is for the Governor to release a revision by May 14. By all accounts, the latest budget projections reveal a substantial deficit, a shift from the January proposal that anticipated a small surplus and maintained current funding for the CAC alongside a suggested increase in the Film/TV Tax credit.  While the full impact on arts and culture funding remains unclear, Assemblymember Chris Ward and Senator Smallwood-Cuevas have requested the restoration of $5 million to the California Arts Council (CAC). Senator Smallwood-Cuevas has additionally requested $5 million for the expansion of cultural districts. 

Critical Public Comment Opportunity in Sacramento

When: Wednesday, May 14th at 9:00am

Where: Room 2100, 1021 O Street, Sacramento, CA.

What: Joint Committee on the Arts Hearing: State of the Arts: How Current Federal Policies Are Impacting Arts, Culture, and the Humanities in California (various speakers including Julie Baker, CEO CA for the Arts, Danielle Brazell, ED, CAC and Erin Harkey, CEO, Americans for the Arts).

Why: This is your opportunity to let State legislators know the impact of the loss of federal funding and to urge them to increase funding to the CAC in this year’s budget.

How: Be prepared with a 2-minute public comment and a 1-minute version as well. Need help? Contact julie@caforthearts.org or tracy@caforthearts.org

Actions you can take now

• NEA grantees: Appeal the decision and submit your final payment as noted in the communication received from the NEA. Click here for templates and more information (courtesy Film Festival Alliance). Take our NEA Funding Questionnaire - we need this data for upcoming hearings.
• See Federal actions offered by Americans for the Arts.
• Join our Arts Action Hour to make phone calls to state and federal lawmakers on Friday, May 9th from 2:00-3:00pm. Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 833 4623 9473 |Passcode: 209698
• Send an email urging state lawmakers to restore $5m to the CAC. You can customize your message if you are impacted by the NEA changes.
• Contact your local media and let them know what this means to your community.
• Use the power of your mailing list and audiences to build public support for arts, culture and humanities funding and ask that your patrons take action with you.
• Use the power of social media: record a video, impact stories, tag your legislators and CA for the Arts @caforthearts.
• Take the Americans for the Arts Pulse Survey on the impact of Federal orders.

National and Regional Resources

• National Assembly of State Arts Agencies: For messaging on the NEA return on investment visit here.
• Americans for the Arts and Arts Action Fund: Messaging, up to date information and action alerts.
• Creative West: Visit their Action Center and send a letter today to your Federal representatives.

We are ready for this moment - Now is the time to commit to being an arts advocate!

During these critical times, marked by unprecedented challenges and significant potential for transformation, a potential to collaboratively imagine and actively build new ways of strengthening the communities we envision, it is absolutely imperative that we, representing all affected sectors – including individual artists, culture bearers, creative businesses, non-profit arts organizations, and government agencies – unite our voices to clearly and forcefully articulate not only our immediate concerns and pressing needs but also our comprehensive and forward-thinking vision for the responsible and effective utilization of taxpayer funds. This united articulation will ensure that resource allocation aligns with the diverse needs of our communities and fosters sustainable and equitable growth for all.

We are in solidarity with you and are committed to equipping you with the necessary tools and resources for effective advocacy. Our continued presence in Sacramento will allow us to maintain pressure on lawmakers. We will advocate for the recognition of arts, culture, and humanities as essential drivers of both community well-being and economic growth, pushing for commensurate investment in our sector's significant impact.

The moment has arrived, and our team is fully prepared to embark on this endeavor. We invite you to join us as a member and support our work and become an integral part of this essential work today!