Cultural Policy |
Trump’s Impact on the Arts: A Running List of Updates
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.