Create Wisconsin Action Alert | April 17, 2025: Up to date information on federal and state investment in arts and culture
Here’s the latest information about federal and state investment in the arts and culture:
April 14 Advocacy Update
Federal funding issues and actions, including Institute for Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, and Corporation for Public Broadcasting (below)
State budget process (info and template letter to send to legislators urging their support of creative sector investment)
Flow chart - federal and state funding (coming soon)
Keep in touch:
Check Create Wisconsin’s Legislative Action Center 2025 for updated information and actions.
Contact Create Wisconsin with questions, comments, and ideas:
info@createwisconsin.org | 608 255 8316 | www.createwisconsin.org
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Linked In: @Create Wisconsin.
We will continue to update our communications channels as information becomes available.
FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE ARTS AND CULTURE
From Americans for the Arts:
Administration Executive Orders and their impact on the arts sector
Ask your federal representatives to save federal investment in the arts and culture
INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES UPDATE
► Take Action for the Institute for Museum and Library Services, from the American Alliance of Museums.
4/4/2025 - A lawsuit was filed by 21 State Attorneys General to stop President Trump's Executive Order #14238 from dismantling 3 federal agencies that provide services and funding for museums and public libraries, mediation services, and minority business development. Specifically, the Institute of Museum and Library Services was forced to place 85% of its staff on administrative leave and cancel all open grants on 3/31/25. This lawsuit is led by the Attorneys General of New York, Hawaii, and Rhode Island and are joined by Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington state, and Wisconsin.
The lawsuit argues that the executive order violates the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by eliminating the programs of agencies without any regard for the laws and regulations that govern each source of federal funding. The coalition argues that the President cannot decide unilaterally to override laws governing federal spending, and that this executive order unconstitutionally overrides Congress’ power to decide how federal funds are spent.
► Read more about this update.
► Read the IMLS reduction of staff memorandum.
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES UPDATE:
► Read the full statement from the National Humanities Alliance.
► Take Action with the National Humanities Alliance.
► A message, talking points, and action steps from Wisconsin Humanities
4/4/2025 - The Trump administration made drastic cuts at the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), by placing 80% of its staff on indefinite administrative leave and cancelling all open grants issued under the Biden administration. These extreme cuts were made by DOGE, part of Elon Musk’s government restructuring effort. The move has drawn strong criticism from humanities advocates, who warn that it could devastate state humanities councils and cultural institutions that rely on NEH funding.
The loss of NEH funding will result in Wisconsin Humanities, the state humanities council, closing its doors very soon. Lay-off notices have been issued to all NEH staff members.
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
DOGE has not been to the NEA as of 4-16-25.
Mary Ann Carter, NEA Chair during the first Trump Administration, has been working behind the scenes to minimize any negative impact on the agency, including eliminating vacant positions and offering early retirement. The agency is still accepting proposals and processing grants.
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
Trump plans order to cut funding for NPR and PBS, National Public Radio, 4-15-25
