At a moment when creative expression and cultural connection are more important than ever, Americans for the Arts (AFTA) has sounded the alarm. In their recent message, Standing United: Protecting America’s Arts and Cultural Future, they outline the very real threats facing our nation’s arts and cultural institutions—and why now is the time to take a stand.

In recent weeks, we’ve witnessed a wave of troubling decisions from the federal level. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is being dismantled, and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is undergoing deep staff cuts and the cancellation of current and future grants. Many arts and humanities organizations across the country have already received notice that their funding is being terminated. And the pressure isn’t stopping there—major institutions like the Smithsonian and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting are also facing increasing ideological scrutiny.

But here’s the thing: America’s creative sector is not just about performances, exhibitions, and archives. It’s about jobs. It’s about education. It’s about preserving stories, traditions, and the soul of our communities. In fact, between 2022 and 2023, arts and culture contributed $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy—4.2% of the GDP—and supported 5.4 million jobs, outpacing the overall economy in growth.

AFTA’s message is clear:

• Public funding for the arts isn’t optional—it’s essential.

• Artistic institutions must remain free from political interference.

• Creativity and cultural heritage are nonpartisan, shared values.

• And Congress must step up to defend the agencies that protect and promote them.

This isn’t just about budgets. It’s about the kind of country we want to live in—one where music, storytelling, and public art are preserved and accessible to all.

If you care about the future of the arts and humanities in the United States, now is the time to speak up. AFTA is calling on all of us to get involved—whether that’s through the American Alliance of Museums, the American Library Association, the National Humanities Alliance, or by joining the Americans for the Arts Action Fund.

Let’s not wait for creativity to be cut off at the source. Let’s raise our voices and remind our leaders that arts and culture are not extras—they’re essential to who we are.

Sincerely,

Lauren Ward

Director, Cultural Advocacy Network