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The federal landscape for arts and cultural funding is undergoing rapid shifts, requiring a broad, coordinated response. Numerous organizations are actively engaged in advocacy, working to shape policy, and secure vital resources for the arts and culture sector. A key strategy is building of strong alliances to maximize impact. Creative West works in coalition to ensure that arts and culture remain a priority in federal funding, navigating the shifting political landscape and advocating for sustainable support. To stay informed and access valuable tools, we are amplifying the work of our colleagues below on specific issues.

\ud83d\uddde\ufe0f News Updates Impacting the Arts and Cultural Sector

\ud83d\udccc For more federal news impacting the arts and cultural sector: Americans for the Arts Action Fund Breaking News Page

August 20, 2025 - NEH Announces Reorganization of its Grantmaking Offices, Programs, and Personnel
August 7, 2025 - Executive Order Gives Federal Grantmaking Decision Making Authority to Political Appointees
August 1, 2025 - Corporation for Public Broadcasting Says It\u2019s Shutting Down After Trump-Led Cancellation of Federal Funding
July 30, 2025 - Department of Justice Releases Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination
July 28, 2025 - Federal Judge Blocks Cancellation of NEH Grants
July 25, 2025 - Trump Abruptly Unfreezes All of the Education Funds He Had Withheld
July 24, 2025 - The Senate Committee on Appropriations approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Approving $207M for NEA and NEH.
July 22, 2025 - House Appropriations Committee advances the FY26 Bill for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. Approving $135M for the NEA and NEH.
July 17, 2025 - Senate passes $9B in cuts to global aid, public broadcasting
July 14, 2025 - House Appropriations Committee released the Fiscal Year 2026 bill for the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. Proposed FY26 funding for the NEA and NEH is $135M, down from current levels of $207M.
July 4, 2025 - President Trump signs the One Big Beautiful Bill into law, packaging together tax policy, mandatory federal spending, and funding priorities into one bill. Creative West's analysis on the bill's impact for the arts and cultural sector.
July 2, 2024 - Trump administration holds $6.8 billion in federal funds Congress already allocated for education (including funding impacting afterschool programs)
May 6, 2025 - Mary Anne Carter formally re-nominated as Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts
May 2, 2025 - White House released its \"skinny\" budget proposal for FY2026. Proposed cuts call for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute for Museum and Library Services, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Proposed cuts for the National Park Service would also eliminate the Historic Preservation Fund, which funds the State Historic Preservation Office in all 50 states and territories.
- Read a full outline of the proposed cuts as sent to Senator Susan Collins.
May 2, 2025 - NEA Grant Termination Letters. Many NEA grantees have been reporting that they received notification that their funding would be terminated as of 5/31/25. This story is still developing.
- Reported sample termination letters can be seen here.
Americans for the Arts Executive Orders & Their Impact on the Arts: Comprehensive Guide
Arts Midwest Webinar: Unpacking the Trump Administration\u2019s Executive Orders on DEI
Creative States Coalition Federal Updates - As of April 17, 2025
Mellon Foundation announces a $15 million emergency funding commitment to the Federation of State Humanities Councils

\u2696\ufe0f Court Cases Impacting the Arts and Cultural Sector

\ud83d\udce3 Active Campaigns to Protect the Federal Cultural Agencies and Arts Education Funding \u26a0\ufe0f Federal Cultural Funding At Risk

\ud83e\uddf0 Additional Legal, Risk, and Compliance Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations

Resources for Federal Grant and Contract Terminations
- Response to Federal Funding Compliance Requirements by Arts Alliance Illinois
- The Compliance Collective Webinar Series by Perkins Coie Law Firm
- Guidance for NEA Grantees Facing Termination or Withdrawal of Funds by Film Festival Alliance
- A Nonprofit Checklist: What to do When Your Federal Grant or Contract is Terminated by National Council of Nonprofits
- What Recipients Need to Know if a Federal Grant Is Terminated by the Government by Holland and Knight
- Grant Terminations, Appeals and Other Activities Guide by American Alliance of Museums
- DOGE Cuts by City, State, and Congressional District by Center for American Progress
- Americans for the Arts Federal Appeal Webinar Recording (May 7)
Guidance on Executive Action
- Executive Orders Affecting Charitable Nonprofits by National Council of Nonprofits
- Non-Profit Executive Order Preparation and Response to Potential Executive Action by ACLU
- Myth v. Reality: Executive Branch Lacks Authority to Target Nonprofit Organizations by National Council of Nonprofits
- Guidance on Expected Nonprofit Executive Order by Americans Against Government Censorship
- General FAQs on Executive Actions Impacting Nonprofits by National Council of Nonprofits

Resources for Non-profit Risk Assessment
- A Nonprofit Checklist: Conducting a Risk Assessment for Federal Funding by National Council of Nonprofits
- Political Climate Response Planning Guide by Montana Nonprofit Association
Resources for Working with International Artists
- News Alerts and Updated Guidance for Artist Visa Processing in 2025 by Artists from Abroad
- Travel and Immigration Updates for a New Era Webinar by Holland and Knight
- Know Your Rights | Enforcement at the Airport by ACLU
- FAQ: Traveling to the US Right Now by Covey Law

Additional Legal Resources
- National Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Directory
- Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Directory

Updated August 21, 2025

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Event Information

Creative West is bringing back its Arts Leadership and Advocacy Seminar in Washington, D.C., for arts advocates from the West from March 2-5, 2025 at the Eaton DC. This event page will be regularly updated as more details become available. This event page will be regularly updated as more details become available.

ALAS will bring together arts advocates from the Creative West region who represent a broad range of stakeholder groups including Leaders of Color Network Alumni, the Western Arts Advocacy Network, and Creative West's Board of Trustees. These stakeholder groups will come together by state to form a delegation and meet with Congressional representatives as a team. Each state delegation will be led by an experienced arts advocate from the Western Arts Advocacy Network.

Agenda At-A-Glance - Detailed Agenda

Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Time Description Group Location
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m MST ALAS Participants Preparation Webinar All Zoom Registration Link
5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m MST Optional: ALAS Newbies What to Expect First-Timers Same Zoom as Above
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Time (EST) Description Group Location

Arrivals All On your own
Evening Executive Committee of Creative West Board of Trustees Dinner Executive Committee of CW Trustees Zaytinya
Monday, March 3, 2025
Time (EST) Description Group Location

No Morning Programming Non-Trustees
8:00 AM. - 12:00 PM Creative West Board of Trustees Meeting CW Trustees Beverly Snow B, Eaton DC
11:30 AM ALAS Check-In Table Opens All Salon Foyer, Eaton DC
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM ALAS Welcome Lunch

Speakers:
- Christian Gaines, President and CEO, Creative West
- Brandy Reitter, Vice Chair, Creative West
- Sandy Flores, Pacific Jurisdictions Manager, Creative West
- Pacific Jurisdictions Delegates All Beverly Snow, Eaton DC
1:10 PM. - 2:00 PM ALAS Orientation

Speakers:
- David Holland, Deputy Director, Creative West
- Cynthia Chen, Manager of Public Policy, Creative West
- Jessi Wasson, Chair, Western Arts Advocacy Network
- ALAS Planning Committee
- WAAN State Delegate Leads All Beverly Snow A, Eaton DC
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM ALAS Program Day 1: Federal-State Partnership and the Arts

Speakers:
- Mary Anne Carter, Senior Advisor Office of the Chair, NEA
- Pam Breaux, President and CEO, NASAA
- Representative Teresa Leger Fern\u00e1ndez (NM-3) Pre-recorded
- Representative Judy Chu (CA-28) Pre-Recorded
- Senator Patty Murray (WA) Pre-recorded All Beverly Snow A, Eaton DC
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM State and Jurisdictions Breakout Groups Strategy Session All Beverly Snow A, Eaton DC
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 2025 Opening Reception & Dinner
- Service opens at 6:30pm
- Welcome Remarks at 7:00pm All Participants & National Partners
Beverly Snow, Eaton DC
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Time (EST) Description Group Location
8:30 AM Breakfast All Beverly Snow, Eaton DC
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM ALAS Program Day 2: Arts Advocacy in the 119th Congress

Speakers:
- Nina Ozlu Tunceli, Chief Counsel of Government and Public Affairs & Executive Director, Americans for the Arts Action Fund
- Heather Noonan, Vice President of Advocacy, League of American Orchestras
- Najean Lee, Director, Government Affairs and Education Advocacy, League of American Orchestras
- Mike Sciacca, Legislative Assistant, Del. Jim Moylan (Guam)
- David Holland & Cynthia Chen, Creative West All Beverly Snow A, Eaton DC
11:00 AM ALAS Grab & Go Lunch All Boxed Lunch for Advocates
Afternoon Meetings with Congress and Staff State Delegations Various Locations on the Hill
5:00 PM. - 6:00 PM Cocktails & Report Backs from the Hill

Speakers:
- 13 State and 3 Pacific Delegations Advocates All Beverly Snow, Eaton DC
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM Official Photo Call for Delegations All Eaton DC
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Creative West Community Dinner and Event Closing

Speakers:
- Creative West ALAS Team All Beverly Snow, Eaton DC
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Time (EST) Description Group Location
All Day Additional Time for Congressional Meetings State Delegations On your own

Departures - No additional formal programming All On your own

Event Resources

Logistics
ALAS 25 Legislative Strategy and Messaging
Press & Marketing Kits
- ALAS 25 Participants Social Media Toolkit
- Sign Up to Share Your ALAS Story with Creative West!

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ALAS State Delegation Leads have been provided instructions on how to request Congressional visits on behalf of their states. They have been provided contact information for all advocates from their states and the associated Congressional staff scheduler contacts.

In some cases, your State Delegation Lead may ask for your support in requesting a visit to your Senator or Representative using the form below.

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Here is a curated list of ongoing federal advocacy campaigns supported by Creative West. Each represents a timely advocacy opportunity to influence national policies and ensure robust support for the arts and cultural ecosystem across the country.

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Alaska - Contact Creative West for more information

American Samoa - Contact Creative West for more information

Arizona - Arizona Citizens for the Arts

California - California for the Arts

Colorado - Colorado Business Committee for the Arts

Guam - Contact Creative West for more information

Hawaii - Hawaii Arts Alliance

Idaho - Contact Creative West for more information

Montana - Contact Creative West for more information

Nevada - Contact Creative West for more information

New Mexico - Creative New Mexico

Northern Mariana Islands - Contact Creative West for more information

Oregon - Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon

Utah - Utah Cultural Alliance

Washington - Inspire Washington

Wyoming - Wyoming Arts Alliance

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Event Information

With the support of Creative West, the Western Arts Advocacy Network (WAAN) was founded in 2020. This collective gathers leaders from statewide arts advocacy organizations and other key advocates from across the West to share best practices, build advocacy capacity, and support arts advocacy. The group convened in person for the first time in September 2022 in Sheridan, Wyoming for a strategic planning retreat and continues to meet virtually on a monthly basis to advance its goals. This second strategic convening will support attendees in learning new advocacy skills and develop a federal legislative strategy as a region.

September 25 & 26, 2024 - Missoula, Montana

September 25th at Zootown Arts Community Center 216 W. Main St., Missoula, MT 59802

September 26th at Missoula Public Library 455 E Main, Missoula, MT 59802

Event Agenda

Session Materials

Session 1 - Advocacy Frameworks: Developing a Shared Regional Agenda
Session 2 - Who Are We Not Making the Case For? How Data Gaps Impact Policy Making and Resource Allocation
Session 3 - Strategic Foresight (Federal Strategy Context)
Session 4 - Montana Community Conversation \ufeff
Session 5 - Federal Agenda Development & WAAN Vision
WAAN 2024 Presentations

Participant Logistics

Hotel Information

The Wren

201 E Main Street Missoula, MT 59802

info@wrenmissoula.com | 406-401-4400

Creative West Guest Travel Policy

Reimbursement Instructions

Things to Do in Missoula

WAAN Co-Chairs

Andrew Schneider, Executive Director, Wyoming Arts Alliance

Jessi Wasson, Programs and Operations Manager, Inspire Washington

Creative West Event Staff

Cynthia Chen, Manager of Public Policy and Advocacy

Sandy Flores, Pacific Jurisdictions Coordinator
Christian Gaines, Executive Director

Cameron Green, Regional Engagement Manager

Kaela Buffum Hogan, Executive Coordinator

David Holland, Deputy Director

Brittany Howell, Events Manager

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Session 1: Advocacy Outside of Cultural Agency Budgets: Regulatory Advocacy for Arts and Culture

Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, 2-3 p.m. Mountain Time

Featured Panelists:

Alice Bioff, Kawerak Inc
Cynthia Chen, WESTAF (Moderator)
Bertrand Evans-Taylor, Performing Arts Alliance
Heather Noonan, League of American Orchestras

Arts and culture advocates likely already know that an evergreen issue for the sector is advocating for the budgets of their local, state, and federal cultural agencies. However, cultural agency budgets are not the only ways advocates can influence public policies that impact the sector. In this session, we will learn more about regulatory advocacy and other ways to advocate for arts and culture. We will discuss strategies and tactics for how to identify different areas of public policy and public administration that have an impact on artists and arts organizations and how to target advocacy in these areas.\n

\n\n

Session Resources:

Federal Regulations

Artist Visa Policy

Artists from Abroad - Guide to Immigration and Tax
Advocacy Example: Arts Comments on Visa Fee Increase
Advocacy Example: Coalition Recommendations for Improving Performing Arts Visa Policy

Transgender and LGBTQIA2S+ Artists and Arts Workers

2024 Anti-Trans Bills Tracker

Arts Education

Ticketing Policy

Ticketing Policy At-A-Glance
Federal Register Comment Opportunity: Trade Regulation Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees

Indigenous Artists and Arts Workers

Digging Into The Indian Arts And Crafts Act, Filling The Well Podcast, Arts Midwest
WESTAF Indian Arts and Crafts Primer
Previous Comment Opportunity: Amendments to Respect Traditional Indigenous Skill and Talent (ARTIST) Act of 2023 Discussion Draft Bill
Advocacy Example: Kawerak Comments Regarding the ARTIST Act of 2023 and Proposed Amendments to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board Regulations
Walrus Ivory Protecting and Sustaining Indigenous Cultures

Session 2: FY24 NEA/NEH Budget Process Debrief

Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 2-3 p.m. Mountain Time

Featured Panelists: Coming Soon!

Panel Description: Coming Soon!

\n\n\n\n\n\n

Session 3: Arts and Rural Development - A Case Study of State and Federal Connections

Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 2-3 p.m. Mountain Time

Featured Panelists: Coming Soon!

Panel Description: Coming Soon!

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We are pleased to announce that the Arts Leadership and Advocacy Seminar (ALAS) is returning this year as a virtual webinar series! Free and open to the public, sessions will provide learning opportunities, practical strategies, and knowledge sharing with thought partners across the public policy and advocacy industry.

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Session 1: Advocacy Outside of Cultural Agency Budgets: Regulatory Advocacy for Arts and Culture

Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, 2-3 p.m. Mountain Time

Featured Panelists:

Alice Bioff, Kawerak Inc
Cynthia Chen, WESTAF (Moderator)
Bertrand Evans-Taylor, Performing Arts Alliance
Heather Noonan, League of American Orchestras

Session Recording:

\n\n

Session Resources:

Federal Regulations

Artist Visa Policy

Artists from Abroad - Guide to Immigration and Tax
Advocacy Example: Arts Comments on Visa Fee Increase
Advocacy Example: Coalition Recommendations for Improving Performing Arts Visa Policy

Transgender and LGBTQIA2S+ Artists and Arts Workers

2024 Anti-Trans Bills Tracker

Arts Education

Ticketing Policy

Ticketing Policy At-A-Glance
Federal Register Comment Opportunity: Trade Regulation Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees

Indigenous Artists and Arts Workers

Digging Into The Indian Arts And Crafts Act, Filling The Well Podcast, Arts Midwest
WESTAF Indian Arts and Crafts Primer
Previous Comment Opportunity: Amendments to Respect Traditional Indigenous Skill and Talent (ARTIST) Act of 2023 Discussion Draft Bill
Advocacy Example: Kawerak Comments Regarding the ARTIST Act of 2023 and Proposed Amendments to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board Regulations
Walrus Ivory Protecting and Sustaining Indigenous Cultures

Session 2: FY24 NEA/NEH Budget Process Debrief

Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 2-3 p.m. Mountain Time

Featured Panelists:

Laurie Baskin, Theatre Communications Group (Moderator)
Alejandro Carranza, Spinnaker Government Relations
Lara Herway, SunnyBrook Strategies
Tony Manfredi, Nevada Arts Council

Panel Description: In March 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration released its FY24 Federal Budget with a recommendation of $211 million each for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Over the course of a year, Congress has been in what seems like gridlock, unable to come to consensus on the budget. Nearly a year later, on March 6, 2024, the House and Senate announced a bicameral six-bill appropriations which included $207 million for the NEA and NEH. The FY24 Federal Appropriations process has been filled with twists and turns, from historic leadership challenges in the House to continual threats of government shutdown, leading to conversations across the field on what may happen to state arts agencies and grant recipients in the case of budget sequestration. Tune in to this session of WESTAF's Arts Leadership and Advocacy webinar as our invited panelists dive in and debrief about lessons learned from this year's appropriations process and its impact on arts and cultural funding.

Session Recording:

\n\n\n

\nSession Resources:

Session 3: Arts and Rural Development - Challenges, Perspectives, and Opportunities from the Western Arts Advocacy Network

Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 2-3 p.m. Mountain Time

Featured Panelists:

Rose Eason, gallupARTS, New Mexico
Dr. Kelty Garbee, Texas Rural Funders
Krys Holmes, Montana Arts Council
Andrew Schneider, Wyoming Arts Alliance
Beth Venn, University of Wyoming, Neltje Center for Excellence in Creativity and the Arts

Panel Description: In 2023, the Western Arts Advocacy Network (WAAN) identified rural and remote needs as a priority issue area amongst its advocates and stakeholders. For the last year, a working group of WAAN has met to learn, discuss, and dissect the challenges and opportunities of how to increase investment in arts in rural areas. The group has worked to gather information on federal legislative and agency advocacy strategies, access to grant and loan programs in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and collectively learn about the systemic challenges of supporting arts and culture in rural and remote places. With representatives from seven different states with rural populations, the group will present a summary of its findings, share insights on how to advocate, and share promising case studies for supporting arts in rural communities.

Session Recording:

\n\n\n

Session Resources:

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