Cultural Policy |
Trump’s Impact on the Arts: A Running List of Updates
UPDATE—Sunday, June 15, 2025
Reps. Lee and Deluzio were included in the list of local federal elected officials the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, alongside 300 co-signers, sent letters to last month, calling for immediate action to protect public investments in the arts and humanities.
UPDATE—Thursday, June 12, 2025
Today, the House of Representatives voted to support Trump's calls to defund PBS and NPR.
This is the "closest NPR and PBS have ever come to a complete loss of federal funding," according to CNN. The legislation now advances to the Senate.
“The fight to protect public media does not end with this vote, and we will continue to make the case for our essential service in the days and weeks to come," reads a statement from PBS. "If these cuts are finalized by the Senate, it will have a devastating impact on PBS and local member stations, particularly smaller and rural stations that rely on federal funding for a larger portion of their budgets. Without PBS and local member stations, Americans will lose unique local programming and emergency services in times of crisis."
A statement from NPR reinforces the need to protect these funds.
"Americans who rely on local, independent stations serving communities across America, especially in rural and underserved regions, will suffer the immediate consequences of this vote," says Katherine Maher, NPR President and CEO. "If rescission passes and local stations go dark, millions of Americans will no longer have access to locally owned, independent, nonprofit media and will bear the risk of living in a news desert, missing their emergency alerts, and hearing silence where classical, jazz and local artists currently play."
If approved by the Senate, the measure will cut $1.1 billion in funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS.
UPDATE—Thursday, June 5, 2025
Worth a read: Pittsburgh nonprofit media outlet PublicSource reports on Pittsburgh after-school programs left scrambling as federal funding cuts hit the region.
The story focuses on a partnership between Assemble, a community space for arts and technology education, and the University of Pittsburgh. Their grant "to empower Black girls to create AI tools plus equip educators and out-of-school time providers to teach AI through a lens of racial equity" was one of the many grants across the nation that have been terminated by the federal administration.
For those interested in supporting Assemble on the Go — the nonprofit's STEAM-based in-school and afterschool lessons, workshops, and classes across Pittsburgh, Assemble is accepting the following materials for donation:
Sewing machines in working condition
Dress forms
Spools of thread
Embroidery floss
Large lengths of solid-colored fabrics
Embroidery hoops
Straight pins & safety pins
Fabric markers
Plan white T-shirts
Craft wire
Craft foam sheets
Chalk pencils
Donated materials can be dropped off at Assemble (4824 Penn Avenue in Bloomfield) on Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
In national news, Trump announced last week that he was firing Kim Sajet, longtime director of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. "She is a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position," Trump posted on Truth Social.
Earlier this week, a White House official provided the Washington Post with a further list of reasonings for Trump's call for Sajet's dismissal, including times when the director spoke critically of the president, such as exhibiting his portrait with a caption referring to his two impeachments.
However, multiple outlets report today that Sajet is still coming to work, despite Trump's threats to have her fired. According to ArtNews, some are questioning his authority to do so, as he doesn't sit on the board of the Smithsonian.
UPDATE—Friday, May 16, 2025
The Arts Council is inviting the public to join us in fighting back against the federal administration's attack on arts and culture.
If you live in the Greater Pittsburgh region — whether you're an executive leader, individual artist or arts worker, or an arts supporter — we encourage you to add your signature to our letter to local federal elected officials, calling for immediate action to protect public investments in the arts and humanities. We are grateful to the support of nearly 200 folks who have signed on so far, and we will continue to share updates on future initiatives in this post.
The importance of advocacy initiatives continue following ongoing events from the federal administration, but this week, there were also two reports of folks on the inside standing up against these harmful actions.
On Monday, after Trump named Todd Blanche, his former personal lawyer and the deputy attorney general, as the acting librarian of Congress, following last week's firing of former Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, The New York Times reports that staff members at the Library of Congress pushed back.
Employees blocked access to two department officials, causing a standoff. Several days later, an updated story shared that Republican lawmakers have joined Democrats in resisting Trump's attempt to seize control of the Library of Congress, "stirring bipartisan pushback on Capitol Hill."
Yesterday, The New York Times also shared a report that more than 90 employees at the Kennedy Center are pushing to unionize. The Kennedy Center United Arts Workers shared in a statement that they took action because of the Trump administration’s efforts to “dismantle mission-essential departments and reshape our arts programming without regard to the interests of program funders, philanthropists, national partners and the audiences we serve."
UPDATE—Friday, May 9, 2025
Yesterday, President Trump fired Carla Hayden from her role as Librarian of Congress, as part of a broader effort by the White House to remove federal officials seen as unsupportive of the president and his policies.
According to an email obtained by The Associated Press, Hayden — who made history as the first woman and the first African American to serve as the Librarian of Congress — received notice of her dismissal late Thursday from the White House's Presidential Personnel Office.
According to NPR, conservative advocacy group American Accountability Foundation accused Hayden of promoting children's books with "radical content." Just hours before her firing was made public, the group posted on social media, "The current #LibrarianOfCongress Carla Hayden is woke, anti-Trump, and promotes trans-ing kids. It's time to get her OUT and hire a new guy for the job!"
It has also been reported that President Trump nominated Mary Anne Carter to lead the National Endowment for the Arts earlier this week, days after he proposed eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts in his 2026 budget and the agency started pulling existing grants for arts groups nationwide.
Carter oversaw the agency during President Trump’s first term and "was seen as a stabilizing leader of the endowment by many in the arts world," according to The New York Times. During her tenure, Trump also proposed eliminating the agency, but the NYT reports that the NEA survived "thanks to bipartisan support in Congress, and its budget even grew."
UPDATE—Thursday, May 8, 2025
How have the cancellation of NEA grants affected Pittsburgh arts and culture organizations? A multitude of arts leaders are speaking out through public statements.
Pittsburgh's NPR outlet WESA shares accounts from leaders who have had their NEA grants terminated in their news story, National Endowment for the Arts funding cuts hit Pittsburgh. Included are Staycee Pearl, co-artistic director of PearlArts Sound and Movement; Sony Ton-Aime, executive director of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures; James McNeel, managing director of City Theatre; Melia Tourangeau, president and CEO of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; and Rene Conrad, executive director of New Hazlett Theater.
We also applaud City Theatre for posting a bold and courageous statement about the ongoing dismantling of the National Endowment for the Arts and the devastating impact this political maneuvering is having on arts organizations across the country, including here in Pittsburgh.
For those who were unable to attend yesterday's session on Emergency Guidance on NEA Grant Cancellations, which was attended by more than 2,000 arts advocates, Americans for the Arts and Arts Action Fund have made the webinar recording available for public viewing below:
UPDATE—Tuesday, May 6, 2025
If your organization had its NEA award rescinded, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is joining Americans for the Arts in strongly urging you to immediately submit an appeal. Depending on your grant category, deadlines vary, with some as early as Friday, May 9.
Americans for the Arts shares why this step is so critical:
Filing an appeal preserves your standing and ensures your organization is counted in any future coordinated action.
It sends a clear signal to federal agencies and lawmakers about the scale and seriousness of this disruption.
It helps us build a unified field response, allowing our collective voice to reflect the full scope of the damage.
We are also joining the National Performance Network in encouraging organizations who have had their NEA grants rescinded to add their details to this Google doc tracking canceled NEA grants. This document is intended to provide information about the scale and scope of the funding losses to the arts field.
Organizations in need of further support are encouraged to attend a free Zoom session, Emergency Guidance on NEA Grant Cancellations, on Wednesday, May 7, at 4 p.m. Presented by Americans for the Arts and the Arts Action Fund, this session will provide additional guidance for organizations affected by the cancellation of grants at the National Endowment for the Arts. Learn from experts on how to submit an appeal, next steps after your appeal, and how to advocate to your Member of Congress during this pivotal time.
Music-focused organizations are also invited to attend Staying Informed and Engaged: Local and National Arts Advocacy, a free webinar presented by Early Music America on Wednesday, May 14, from 2-3:30 p.m. During this event, Najean Lee, the director of government affairs and education advocacy at the League of American Orchestras, will provide an in-depth look at how current changes in federal funding and policy are impacting the early-music field.
UPDATE—Monday, May 5, 2025
Just days after the Trump administration released a 2026 budget that calls for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities, multiple officials have announced their resignations from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Those leaving the NEA include "directors overseeing grants for dance, design, folk and traditional arts, and theater, as well as the director of the 'partnership' division, which oversees work with state and local arts agencies," according to the The New York Times. The departures were announced on social media and through email newsletters.
Michael Orlove, the NEA's Director of Regional, State & Local Partnerships + International Activities, announced his departure date through a post on LinkedIn.
"The recent months have been quite tumultuous in Washington DC due to the ‘downsizing’ of the federal government. Countless federal agencies have been significantly affected, including the National Endowment for the Arts," wrote Orlove. "After thorough consideration, I have decided to leave the agency and accept the deferred resignation program, as it offers the most practical solution for me and my family. May 30th will be my last day."
In a newsletter sent this afternoon from the NEA Theater & Musical Theater, Greg Reiner, NEA Director of Theater and Musical Theater, announced that he's also accepted the deferred resignation program, along with sharing news of the departure of Tracey Alperstein, Grants Management Specialist in Musical Theater.
"I first came to the National Endowment for the Arts in 2015 with the goal of building a stronger national theater field; harnessing the power of a federal grantmaking agency to empower theater makers across the nation to engage and strengthen their local communities, make meaningful progress in making work accessible to ever broader audiences and artists, and most importantly, create great art that will stand the test of time," Reiner shared on LinkedIn. "It is with a mix of sadness and pride that I share the news today that my ten years at the NEA will come to a close on May 30, as I have decided to accept the Deferred Resignation Program."
Three members of the NEA's Design + Creative Placemaking team — Ben Stone, Director of Design and Creative Placemaking; Courtney Spearman, Design Programs Specialist; and Jessie Uribe, Assistant Grants Management Specialist — also announced that they were stepping down from their roles in an email newsletter.
"Leaving colleagues, grantees, partners, and an agency we care so deeply about is not something we've decided to do lightly, and we will sincerely miss working with all of you," they shared in the announcement.
According to the NYT, the head of NEA's literary arts division is also leaving, along with three members of her team.
UPDATE—Saturday, May 3, 2025
Last night, the National Endowment for the Arts sent emails to numerous arts organizations across the country, alerting them that it was withdrawing or canceling current grants, according to the The New York Times.
"The N.E.A. 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,” the emails said. “Consequently, we are terminating awards that fall outside these new priorities.”
In Pittsburgh, TribLive reports that leaders at public media outlets WESA, WYEP, and WQED say this week's executive order calling for an end for federal funding will not stop them from continuing their important work.
“No matter what happens in Washington, D.C., WQED is not going anywhere,” Jason Jedlinski, president & CEO of WQED Multimedia, tells TribLive.
UPDATE—Friday, May 2, 2025
President Trump signed an executive order last night ordering an end to federal funding for NPR and PBS, calling the public funding "outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence."
The executive order, as reported by NPR, could be challenged in court, like others signed by the president.
In Pittsburgh, NPR news station WESA and its sister Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation public radio station, WYEP, are asking listeners to add their voice to a campaign to protect public media.
Investments in public radio represent less than 1/100th of 1% of all federal spending, or about $1.60 per year for each American citizen, according to Terry O'Reilly, President and CEO of Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation, in an email to the station's listeners.
Learn more about how proposed funding cuts will affect public media stations.
Pittsburgh's local PBS station, WQED, is the home of Fred Rogers and was the country's first community-supported television station. They're also currently asking for support from viewers through Public Media Giving Days.
According to The New York Times, NPR and PBS have vowed to fight Trump’s order to cut funding.
Today, the federal administration also released a 2026 budget that calls for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities.
UPDATE—Wednesday, April 30, 2025
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is teaming up with Americans for the Arts on a national survey to better understand the needs and experiences of artists and arts workers across the country.
We’re grateful to all who have contributed to past surveys focused on state and local issues—your input has helped inform key decisions and shape support for the region’s creative community. This new effort marks the first time data will be gathered at a national level, and broad participation is essential to ensure the arts sector is accurately represented.
Please Complete the Short Survey Today: https://surveys.AmericansForTheArts.org/s3/ImpactOfFederalPolicies
Why Your Input Matters:
It will provide insight into the consequences of federal and state policy changes.
Once the survey data is collected, Americans for the Arts will provide a free, public-facing dashboard so users can explore results by geography, organization type, artistic discipline, and more. If we get enough responses, we will have access to customized results for our community!
A Spanish-language version is built into the survey to expand accessibility.
Designed for efficiency, the survey only takes about 6 minutes to complete, helping us gather broad and reliable data.
The deadline to participate is May 9.
UPDATE—Thursday, April 17, 2025
Two local news stories provide more insight into how the Trump administration is impacting arts and culture organizations in our region:
DOGE cuts at National Endowment for the Humanities hit Carnegie Museums, Phipps and more, from WESA
Church murals restoration face funding shortfall, from the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University's Next Generation Newsroom, on the Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka
UPDATE—Tuesday, April 15, 2025
A White House official told NPR that the Trump administration has prepared a memo for Congress expressing plans to eliminate nearly all federal funding for public media, including NPR and PBS.
In a statement on Monday, the White House accused NPR and PBS of spreading "radical, woke propaganda disguised as 'news.'" Examples the White House labeled as "trash" included LGBTQ programming and a 2020 Sesame Street town hall, in partnership with CNN, that addressed racism.
"Eliminating funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would have a devastating impact on American communities across the nation that rely on public radio for trusted local and national news, culture, lifesaving emergency alerts, and public safety information," shared NPR in a statement.
UPDATE—Friday, April 11, 2025
Following the current administration's cancellation of millions of dollars in critical grants to arts and culture organizations, it was reported this week that the National Endowment for the Humanities plans to allocate a portion of its funding to support the development of President Trump's National Garden of American Heroes, a patriotic sculpture park initially proposed in a 2020 executive order.
As we shared in an update last week, 80% of the staff at the National Endowment for the Humanities has been placed on administrative leave. The New York Times reports that the agency's acting chair told its advisory council this week that it "would pivot to supporting the White House’s agenda."
Other news items worth a read:
Axios Pittsburgh reports on the cuts to PA Humanities where Executive Director Laurie Zierer shares that the nonprofit now "has just three to four months of funding left before staffing and services are affected."
Artists Mobilize as Trump Threatens Cultural Institutions, from Artnet
Is Art Affected by Trump's Tariffs? from Artsy
UPDATE—Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Yesterday, the American Library Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees were the latest agencies to file a lawsuit asking the court to block the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services as directed by the Trump executive order.
“Libraries and museums contain our collective history and knowledge, while also providing safe spaces for learning, cultural expression and access to critical public resources,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders in a joint statement. “They represent the heart of our communities, and the cultural workers who keep these institutions running enrich thousands of lives every day. Library workers do everything from helping people apply for jobs to administering lifesaving care all while facing increasing violence on the job. Their work deserves support, not cuts. On behalf of the 42,000 AFSCME cultural workers, we're suing to stop the wrongful closure of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and protect this critical resource for our communities.”
UPDATE—Monday, April 7, 2025
On Friday, a coalition of 21 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's executive order that called for dismantling multiple federal agencies including the Institute of Museum and Library Services, whose entire staff was placed on administrative leave on March 31.
In Pennsylvania, PA Humanities is asking for public support, following last week's funding cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities. "With this termination, over 60% of our budget is in jeopardy and we cannot access $1.2 million of our FY2025 allocation," shares PA Humanities Executive Director Laurie Zierer. "The consequences are both immediate and devastating for our sector nationally. PA Humanities relies on NEH support to deliver programs, grants, and research on the cultural sector. This decision affects all 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils across the country."
UPDATE—Friday, April 4, 2025
A lawsuit filed last month by the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Rhode Island against the National Endowment for the Arts has been denied. The lawsuit, which was filed in a federal court on behalf of multiple arts organizations, addressed the NEA's requirement that grant applicants agree to not promote "gender ideology" in alignment with President Trump's recent executive order. While the court agreed that the NEA's requirement likely violates the First Amendment, the ACLU reports that the court ruled it could not get in way of the agency's decisioning making process because the organization is "currently in the process of determining whether to reimpose that ban."
In other news, NPR confirms that 80% of the staff at the National Endowment for the Humanities have been placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately.
UPDATE—Thursday, April 3, 2025
The Trump administration is canceling millions of dollars in previously awarded federal humanities grants awarded to arts and culture organizations, according to NPR. This includes PA Humanities, which has announced it received "an abrupt notice" last night from the Department of Government Efficiency that said their general operating grant was terminated.
"The implications are staggering and PA Humanities will be directly affected," the nonprofit shared in a statement. "We rely on NEH support to deliver essential programs and provide funding to our grantees and partners across the Commonwealth. Cultural organizations and our economy will also be deeply impacted. Federal funding is the single largest source of support for the cultural sector in our state, which helps generate a $30.4 billion annual impact and provides 189,700 jobs."
Another concerning news story this week is the report that Kevin Young, director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, was placed on personal leave last month for an "undetermined period," according to the Washington Post. The poet, who became director in 2021, has been absent from the position since March 14—just weeks before President Trump took aim at the Smithsonian for "anti-American ideology." It is still unclear if there is a direct connection between his absence and the executive order.
UPDATE—Wednesday, April 2, 2025
The National Endowment for the Humanities, which provides funding for museums, academic research, and historic sites, may face grant reductions and staff cuts of up to 80%, according to the The New York Times.
"NEH staff ensure that small and large organizations alike have access to federal funds. Moreover, they are tireless in their efforts to ensure that U.S. tax dollars are spent well," advocacy coalition National Humanities Alliance shares in a statement. "Cutting NEH staff who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their positions guts the NEH itself. This puts unnecessary barriers in the way of the agency’s mission to distribute federal dollars to American communities."
Learn what steps you can take to help save the NEH in their toolkit here: Take Action to Save the NEH Today
UPDATE—Monday, March 31, 2025
This morning, the entire staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services was placed on administrative leave, following President Trump's previous executive order that called for the elimination of the agency.
Last Thursday, President Trump issued an executive order instructing the removal of "divisive, race-centered ideology" from Smithsonian museums, as well as from educational and research institutions and the National Zoo.
With a constant stream of new threats to arts and culture occurring on a nearly daily basis, it sometimes feels impossible to pinpoint which items are of the utmost concern in the immediate future. To help you navigate the latest updates, here are some additional news articles that we’ve found valuable in recent weeks.
- Writer Claire Willett on how Trump upended federal grants for the arts and journalism, from Nieman Storyboard
As anti-DEI and anti-trans language gets battled in court, the grant writer offers advice on how journalists, writers, and artists should proceed.
Highlight: “I think the elephant in the room is that the arts are treated like a luxury thing—a trivial thing. The NEA is one of the government’s smallest agencies. We’re also watching healthcare stripped away and like, are we going to go to war with Europe? So how do we position the conversation about the arts as an important component of everything else that is happening? What’s more important, vaccines or theater? But that’s a false premise.”
- What Art Collectors Need to Know About Trump's Tariffs, from Artsy
Tariffs imposed by President Trump have caused massive uncertainties in the art market. Here, Artsy explains what art collectors need to be aware of.
Highlight: “For a wide range of galleries, the tariffs and retaliatory measures could skyrocket the cost of participating in art fairs—which is already an expensive endeavor.”
- ‘This is injustice’: inside Trump’s attack on funding for LGBTQ+ arts, from The Guardian
The president has demanded that the National Endowment for the Arts denies grants to projects promoting ‘gender ideology’, leading to protest and legal action
Highlight: “If the ‘gender ideology’ order was to have been in place, say, in the last 20 years then we would not have had a Kinky Boots, we would not have not had productions of La Cage aux Folles. There are objections within the ‘gender ideology’ that theatres could not even have a character that was that, let alone the theme of the play.”
- Trump and the Fate of the Government’s Massive Art Collection, from Vanity Fair
With a cult of cost-chainsawing threatening every facet of the US government, what might become of the tens of thousands of important works by essential American artists the feds own and oversee?
Highlight: “'The decision by the current administration really jeopardizes the preservation, the security, and the continued public ownership of this work that are really integral parts of the country’s cultural patrimony and heritage,' said Julie Trébault, the director of Artists at Risk Connection. The international group helps protect creative freedom in autocratic-leaning states and other at-risk countries; it has recently expanded its presence in the United States.”
- Breaking News Updates Impacting the Arts & Culture, from American for the Arts Action Fund
Our friends at Americans for the Arts are also tracking how executive orders are affecting the arts and culture sector, including a timeline of recent events.
UPDATE—Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Recommended read: Pittsburgh museums and libraries face possible federal funding turmoil, a new story published by WESA, provides additional context on how local organizations are responding to the new executive order that calls for dismantling The Institute of Museum and Library Services
UPDATE—Monday, March 17, 2025
On Friday, March 14, President Trump signed an executive order that calls for the elimination of seven federal agencies he labeled as “unnecessary,” including the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services provides critical federal funding for library and museum grants, policy development, and research.
“Museums are vital community anchors, serving all Americans, including youth, seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans,” reads a statement from the American Alliance of Museums. “Museums are not only centers for education and inspiration but also economic engines—creating jobs, driving tourism, and strengthening local economies. This Executive Order threatens the critical roles museums and museum workers play in American society and puts jobs, education, conservation, and vital community programs at risk.”
A number of Pittsburgh-area institutions have received grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the past two fiscal years, including:
Carnegie Mellon University Libraries
$164,340 for 2024 National Leadership Grants - Libraries
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
$369,159 for 2024 21st Century Museum Professionals Program
Heinz History Center
$183,621 for 2024 Museums for America
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
$10,000 for 2024 National Medals for Museum Service
University of Pittsburgh, Department of Library and Information Science
$249,917 for 2023 Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program
Carnegie Mellon University Libraries
$241,147 for 2023 Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
$246,326 for 2023 Museums for America
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
$238,623 for 2023 Museums for America
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
$426,058 for 2023 National Leadership Grants - Museums
Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation
$750,000 for 2023 Save America’s Treasures
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council joins others in opposition to this executive order and stresses the value that museums and libraries add to our region’s cultural and educational ecosystem.
In addition to the organizations listed above, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has also previously benefited from federal funding. On its website, the Institute of Museum and Library Services is thanked for a National Leadership Grant, which helped restore over half a million pages of Pittsburgh industry-related content to their digital collections.
"Americans have loved and relied on public, school and academic libraries for generations," reads a statement from the American Library Association. "By eliminating the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Trump administration’s executive order is cutting off at the knees the most beloved and trusted of American institutions and the staff and services they offer."
At the Arts Council, we experience this value firsthand. We host weekly team meetings in the Carnegie Library’s free meeting rooms and applaud their continued investment in local artists through programs such as their Artist-in-Residence series.
Call to Action
The American Library Association encourages supporters to express their concerns to elected officials and Show Up For Our Libraries.
The American Alliance of Museums has provided templates of scripts, letters, and social media copy to use when contacting your representatives, including members of Congress, state, and local officials.
UPDATE—Tuesday, March 11, 2025
The National Endowment for the Arts has suspended their requirement for grant applicants to certify they won’t “promote gender ideology” after an ACLU lawsuit challenged it as unconstitutional. While artists no longer need to sign the pledge, broader restrictions remain. According to ArtNews, the ACLU is seeking an injunction to fully block the restrictions before the March 24 grant deadline, with a hearing set for March 18.
UPDATE—Thursday, March 6, 2025
Today, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Rhode Island filed a lawsuit against the National Endowment for the Arts for requiring that grant applicants agree to not promote "gender ideology" in alignment with President Trump's recent executive order.
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council was one of many organizations which raised concerns last month over additions to the Legal Requirements and Assurance of Compliance section of NEA's guidelines for arts grants, which included that applicants must agree to not use federal funds to "promote gender ideology" or operate any programs promoting “diversity, equity, and inclusion” that violate anti-discrimination laws.
Today's lawsuit was filed in a federal court on behalf of multiple arts organizations including National Queer Theater, Rhode Island Latino Arts, Theatre Communications Group, and The Theater Offensive. According to the lawsuit, each organization has "created and promoted art in the past that promotes and affirms the lived experiences of transgender and nonbinary people, by casting transgender and nonbinary actors, and by promoting and producing art that features transgender and nonbinary themes."
“The National Endowment for the Arts is critical in supporting the arts and communities nationwide," reads a statement from Erin Harkey, incoming CEO for Americans for the Arts, in response to the lawsuit and NEA's recent changes to their grant requirements. "The current Administration’s new Executive Order has implications beyond the NEA and raises serious constitutional issues, and we support any effort to address these concerns. We hope the NEA and the courts will clarify any guidance on their enforcement before the upcoming grant deadlines.”
In addition to arguing that the NEA's enforcement of the gender ideology mandate, which only recognizes "two sexes, male and female," ACLU Staff Attorney Vera Eidelman told Hyperallergic that the suit is "basically a bar on anyone getting NEA funds, or even being eligible for NEA funds, because they express a message that the government doesn’t like and that is very much contrary to what the First Amendment allows.”
As reported by the New York Times, today's lawsuit followed countless concerns from artists and arts institutions across the nation, including a joint statement from four leading American theaters on Wednesday that expressed they would not agree to the new NEA guidelines, calling for them to be withdrawn.
UPDATE—Thursday, February 13, 2025
"The dissolution of Challenge America removes an entry-level funding opportunity designed for smaller organizations, which could make it harder for first-time applicants to access NEA support," Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council CEO Patrick Fisher shares in a news story published today by WESA, Pittsburgh's NPR News Station.
The Challenge America grant, as shared in our February 6 update, was recently canceled for FY 2026. The program provided funding for small arts organizations serving underserved communities, including The Genesis Collective, a nonprofit in Beaver County.
Learn more in WESA's report, Pittsburgh arts groups confront rapidly shifting National Endowment for the Arts rules.
UPDATE—Wednesday, February 12, 2025
On February 12, 2025, President Trump announced on Truth Social that he was "unanimously elected" as the new chair of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Trump replaces former Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter, who was terminated, according to the The New York Times.
As of 5 p.m., Rutter's bio on the yet-to-be-updated Kennedy Center website described her as one of the "strongest leaders in the arts today, combining artistic daring with fiscal sustainability and community-driven solutions." It also stated that during her tenure, "Rutter has expanded programming to represent the diversity of art in America and led initiatives to integrate the arts into the daily lives of all Americans."
Until recently, according to NPR, the Kennedy Center's 36-member board was bipartisan, with an equal number of Republicans and Democrats. On Wednesday, the center announced a new list of board members, all appointed by Trump.
UPDATE—Monday, February 10, 2025
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is continuing to monitor the impact of recent executive actions by President Trump that threaten arts leadership at the national level.
On February 7, 2025, President Trump expressed his will to remove sitting board members of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and to name himself Chair of the Board. On February 10, he announced on his Truth Social platform that he was appointing Richard Grenell as the "interim executive director" of the Kennedy Center.
"I am pleased to announce that Ric Grenell will serve as the Interim Executive Director of The Kennedy Center," Trump posted. "Ric shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture, and will be overseeing the daily operations of the Center. NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA — ONLY THE BEST. RIC, WELCOME TO SHOW BUSINESS!"
The Kennedy Center has long been a thought leader in arts and arts education, providing professional development for educators, supporting partnerships with schools, and offering training programs that benefit artists and arts organizations nationwide. By placing direct control of the institution’s leadership under the authority of the White House, this unprecedented move raises serious concerns about political interference in the arts and the future of arts education and programming across the country.
For the arts community in Pittsburgh and beyond, this decision could have significant consequences:
Potential Loss of Nonpartisan Leadership: The Kennedy Center has historically operated with a diverse board representing various artistic disciplines and perspectives. The removal of these directors may shift decision-making in ways that prioritize political interests over artistic representation and accessibility.
Impact on Arts Education and Professional Development: Many educators and arts organizations across the nation rely on the Kennedy Center’s workshops, training programs, and curriculum resources. A change in leadership could jeopardize these initiatives and alter the content or availability of these resources. As recently as January 2025, the University of Pittsburgh hosted the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, a national theater program that provides professional development opportunities for students. As of February 10, the festival’s website affirmed its commitment to promoting “inclusion and diversity.”
National Precedent for Arts Governance: We are witnessing the political reshaping of the Kennedy Center—a federally designated cultural institution—and the National Endowment for the Arts—a federal funding agency—in real time. This shift raises concerns that these institutions could be turned into tools for political propaganda.
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is committed to advocating for the independence and integrity of arts institutions. We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates on how this action may affect our region’s arts and culture community.
Upon further review, we are also joining other organizations in raising concerns over additions to the NEA Guidelines for Arts Grants. This includes additions to the guidelines’ Assurance of Compliance page, which states that applicants must agree to the following if selected as a NEA grant recipient:
The applicant will comply with all applicable Executive Orders while the award is being administered. Executive orders are posted at whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions.
The applicant’s compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the U.S. Government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code, pursuant to Executive Order No. 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, dated January 21, 2025.
The applicant will not operate any programs promoting “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, in accordance with Executive Order No. 14173.
The applicant understands that federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology, pursuant to Executive Order No. 14168, Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is currently in conversation with legal experts on how the impact of DEI-related executive orders and new grant guidelines might affect non-profit organizations. We will share updates as everyone's understanding, including ours, becomes clearer.
We encourage artists, educators, and arts advocates to stay informed and to voice their concerns to their elected officials. The arts must remain a space for creativity, education, and public service—free from undue political influence.
UPDATE—Thursday, February 6, 2025
On February 6, 2025, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced updates to its FY 2026 grantmaking programs, which will impact Pittsburgh-area arts organizations planning to apply for federal funding. With the changes, local organizations should prepare for a revised application process, including new deadlines and updated eligibility requirements. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know.
Changes to the Challenge America Grant
The NEA has canceled the Challenge America program for FY 2026. If you or your organization were considering applying for this opportunity, we encourage you to shift your focus to the Grants for Arts Projects category instead.
Updated Deadlines for Grants for Arts Projects
In addition to the cancellation of Challenge America, the NEA has revised the Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) guidelines for FY 2026. The previous February 2025 deadline has been replaced with two new application windows:
March 11, 2025 for the first round of funding (GAP 1)
- July 10, 2025 for the second round (GAP 2)
Please note that if your organization had already submitted an application for the February 2025 deadline, you will need to resubmit it under one of these new deadlines. It’s crucial to stay updated and plan your application accordingly.
Focus on America250
One significant update is that the NEA is prioritizing funding for projects that align with the America250 initiative, which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Pittsburgh-based organizations have the opportunity to align their artistic work with a national celebration. Projects related to the history, culture, and heritage of the United States can receive priority consideration, and this can include integrating America250-related themes into larger creative endeavors.
New Eligibility Requirements
The updated guidelines also include a new eligibility requirement: applicants must demonstrate at least five years of arts programming before the application deadline. If your organization’s programming was affected by the pandemic, you can include examples from 2018 or 2019 to meet this requirement, but anything earlier will not be considered. Virtual programming is also now an acceptable form of arts programming for eligibility.
Important Note on Application Categories
Organizations can no longer submit applications for both Grants for Arts Projects and the Our Town category in the same fiscal year. However, applicants are still able to apply for separate funding in the Research Awards category.
How Can Local Organizations Get Prepared?
Here are a few next steps for local arts organizations looking to take advantage of these updated NEA grant opportunities:
Review the new guidelines carefully: The revised guidelines will be available by February 10, 2025 on the NEA’s website. We recommend reviewing these in detail as soon as they are posted.
Consider how to incorporate America250: Think about how your project can align with the celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Is there an opportunity to incorporate local history, cultural narratives, or national themes into your upcoming projects?
Prepare your eligibility documentation: If you haven’t already, ensure your organization meets the five-year programming requirement. Gather materials from 2018 or 2019 if necessary.
Plan your application timing: Mark the new application deadlines of March 11 and July 10, 2025. With these new windows, there’s still time to refine your project proposals.
Attend the NEA webinar: The NEA will host a free webinar on February 18, 2025, at 2 p.m. to walk through the updated guidelines and answer questions. Registration is required, but a recording will be made available afterward.
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is committed to ensuring our region's artistic community continues to thrive with access to vital funding and opportunities. Our team will continue to update this blog post with more information as we monitor these changes and how they impact our region. We will also provide updates on how we can further help as we learn more.
For more details on the updated guidelines, visit arts.gov/grants.
UPDATE—Thursday, January 30, 2025
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is closely monitoring the developing situation around the January 27th White House Office of Management and Budget memo ordering a freeze on all federal agency grants and loans. As of January 29, 2025, the memo has been rescinded by the White House, but a looming threat on federal funding sources crucial for individuals and organizations of the arts and culture sector remains.
Disruptions to federal funding sources could have numerous impacts on the arts and culture sector. Between 2020 and 2024, the National Endowment for the Arts distributed $32.6 million to Pennsylvania organizations to fund creative projects, new artwork, arts research, and more. $3.3 million of these funds were distributed within 50 miles of Pittsburgh alone. In addition, data from our 2024 Artist Community Survey indicates that about 36% of local artists utilize at least one publicly funded program to meet their basic needs.
For examples of how this is concerning our arts and culture community, we recommend reading WESA's latest report, Pittsburgh arts leaders grapple with political threats.
As we await additional updates, we encourage you to proactively reach out to your representatives and share your support for federal arts and culture funding. Leaders of organizations can also fill out this survey about your federal funding sources to help our team quickly pivot into action to protect funds from any future threat.
ORIGINAL POST—Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Within his first 24 hours in office, President Trump rescinded many of former President Biden’s previous executive orders. Among these was Executive Order 14084 – Promoting the Arts, the Humanities, and Museum and Library Services.
At the time of its authorization by President Biden in September 2022, EO 14084 recognized arts, culture, and humanities as being vital to the “well-being, health, vitality, and democracy of our Nation.” It paved the way for federal agencies to be more actively involved in supporting creative and cultural institutions, ensuring their benefits are accessible to everyone, including underserved and underrepresented communities. It also called for increased funding and support for museums, libraries, and arts initiatives, ensuring they have the resources to serve their communities effectively.