Create Wisconsin Action Alert - federal and state advocacy | updated May 6, 2025
Create Wisconsin Action Alert | May 6, 2025
Trump Budget Eliminates Funding
for Arts and Cultural Programs
Register now for Create Wisconsin’s Advocacy Update
Tuesday, May 13, 10-11 am
President Trump’s proposed 2025-27 budget, released on May 2nd, seeks to reduce non-defense discretionary spending by 22.6% through deep program cuts, including the elimination of the following cultural and educational programs:
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
The NEA responded on May 2nd by issuing new funding guidelines and rescinding some, but not all, FY2024 and FY2025 grants. Hundreds of arts groups of various sizes across the U.S. received emails notifying them of the withdrawal and termination of their grants. However, the 40 percent of the NEA’s budget directed to state arts agencies, including the Wisconsin Arts Board, is currently intact.
The White House's budget recommendations are the beginning of the appropriations process, not the end. Congress holds the ultimate constitutional authority to appropriate funds to federal agencies and will formulate a budget for the NEA in the months ahead.
The national arts and creative sector advocacy networks and state arts agencies, and other national and state partners, are mobilizing to gather information and develop collaborative advocacy platforms and actions.
FEDERAL ADVOCACY
Contact your Congressional representatives urging support of federal investment in the arts and culture.
Americans for the Arts (AFTA) Advocacy Update 5-6-25
AFTA Webinar: NEA Grant Cancellations - Guidance, Support & Action Steps, 5-7-25
Please take the time to complete Americans for the Arts’ national pulse survey of arts and culture organizations and creative businesses to help gather critical information that demonstrates the human, programmatic, and financial impacts of recent executive orders that reduce the footprint of many federal agencies. The survey takes about 6 minutes to complete.
If your organization’s NEA grant has been rescinded:
Add your info to this spreadsheet documenting the national scale and scope of these action
Consider appealing the decision, as noted in the NEA’s message to grantees.
STATE ADVOCACY
Register now for Create Wisconsin’s Advocacy Update
Register now for Create Wisconsin's next Advocacy Update on Tuesday, May 13, 1 pm, for legislative and budget updates and information on how to advocate on federal and state funding issues. George Tzougros, Director of the Wisconsin Arts Board, will join the conversation.
Create Wisconsin’s 2025 Legislative and State Budget Agenda
The following Create Wisconsin-backed legislative and state budget proposals are making their way through the legislative and state budget process:
Increase state GPR funding for Wisconsin Arts Board grants.
Establish Rural Wisconsin Creative Economy Grant Program.
Establish State Film Office and Film and TV Tax Incentives.
Please send a message to urge legislators to support creative sector investment. For more information, see Create Wisconsin’s 2025 Legislative Agenda.
Check the latest information on this changing situation here. And as always, contact Create Wisconsin at info@createwisconsin.org | 608 255 8316 with questions, comments, and ideas. Thank you for your good work and advocacy.
