Federal Arts Advocacy Update – July 2025

July 2025

FEDERAL POLICY UPDATES

Rescissions Deadline Approaching

Congress has until July 17 to act on President Trump’s request to claw back $9 billion in USAID funding and $1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This rescission package has passed the House and is now being considered in the Senate. If Congress fails to act within this timeframe, the President must distribute the withheld funds.

Reconciliation Package

Congress passed the reconciliation package and President Trumped signed the bill on July 4th. The bill contains a permanent charitable deduction for those who do not itemize on their tax returns, but it also includes a number of provisions that could limit charitable giving in the coming years. For More Context: Our June 27 Office Hours featured detailed discussions on both the rescissions bill and reconciliation package (“Big Beautiful Bill”)  with experts from PBS and Independent Sector. View the recording here.

Arts Education Funding at Risk

The Trump Administration notified State Education Agencies that they are withholding $6 billion in public school funding, including programs that support in-school and after-school arts education.

SCOTUS Ruling On Nationwide Injunctions

The Supreme Court on June 27th limited federal judges’ ability to issue nationwide injunctions in Trump v. CASA (more commonly known as the birthright citizenship case). The ruling, led by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, eliminates courts’ authority to block executive actions across the country. This could negatively impact current lawsuits challenging executive actions targeting our federal cultural agencies.

STRATEGIC ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY

The fight for NEA and NEH funding has reached a critical juncture with widespread grant cancellations and severe staffing cuts threatening arts programs nationwide.

Americans for the Arts has launched a comprehensive advocacy campaign calling for $209 million each for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in FY 2026 –  a modest $2 million increase from current funding levels.

Our Government Affairs team is conducting targeted outreach in key Congressional districts, focusing on areas where federal arts investment aligns with local priorities like economic development, veteran services, and community revitalization.

ADVOCACY RESOURCES AVAILABLE

AFTA has developed a complete NEA-NEH advocacy toolkit for grassroots engagement for your congressional district, featuring ready-to-use templates for Congressional constituent emails, press releases, and op-eds. All materials emphasize key messages around economic impact, community vitality, strong bipartisan support, and modest federal investment.

• Economic Impact: $1.2 trillion contribution to U.S. economy, 4.2% of GDP

• Community Vitality: The NEA stands as one of the federal government’s most efficient agencies, consistently exceeding its required 1:1 match of private to public funds and delivering strategic investments that power local economies across the country

• Bipartisan Supports: Arts funding continues to have strong cross-party backing even in these politically polarizing times

• Modest Investment: Current federal support equals just 62 cents per person

• Timely Connection: Both NEA and NEH chairs serve on White House Task Force for America’s 250th celebration

WHAT’S NEXT

House Interior Appropriators are expected to markup their appropriations bill later in July where we will first see their suggested FY26 funding level for the NEA and NEH. Senate Interior Appropriators are expected to markup their bill after the August recess.

JULY LEGISLATIVE FLY-INS

AFTA is hosting two Legislative Fly-Ins in July, bringing arts advocates from Alaska, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Nebraska, Nevada, South Dakota, Utah, Texas, and West Virginia to meet with appropriators and champion $209 million in FY26 funding for the NEA and NEH.

July 14-15: Meetings with key House Interior Appropriators

July 21-22: Meetings with key Senate Interior Appropriators

Visit the “Take Action” section on AFTA’s Protect the NEA page to learn about different ways you can get involved.

VOICES FROM THE FIELD

Celebrating the impact of arts advocacy across America.

AFTACON 2025 in Cincinnati brought together nearly 900 arts leaders for three days of connection, learning, and inspiration. Here’s what attendees are saying about their experience:

Professional Development Power:

“I have attended almost every AFTACON since I began my career in 2014. It is one of the most impactful professional development opportunities of my year.” 

– Randy Ham, Executive Director, Odessa Arts (Odessa, TX)

Mission and Energy:

“AFTACON was a great experience and a powerful energizer for my own impact-driven mission.” 

– Melisa Allen, Education Administrator, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (West Palm Beach, FL)

Unparalleled Access and Learning:

“The level of professionalism and achievement of your panelists was unexpected and inspirational. We were witnesses to the ‘who’s who’ of the art world… and I couldn’t have gotten that information or seen that level of accomplished and contemporary artists ANYWHERE ELSE.”  

– Mary McNamara Bernsten, Executive Director, Rockford Area Arts Council (Rockford, IL)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Stay connected with upcoming learning opportunities.

Arts Advocacy Office Hours

Join us bi-weekly on Fridays at 2:00 PM ET for updates on federal cultural agencies and timely advocacy topics. Starting in August, these sessions will move to monthly.

Upcoming Sessions:

July 11: Federal cultural agencies update

July 25: Topic forthcoming – stay tuned

Americans for the Arts is a nonprofit organization working every day to build recognition and support for the extraordinary and dynamic value of the arts and to lead, serve, and advance the diverse networks of organizations and individuals who cultivate the arts in America. Support our work to ensure that every American has access to the arts by making a gift at the link below. Thank you! 

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