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Dear Creative West Community,
We know the landscape for arts and cultural funding is evolving quickly—shaped by executive actions, court rulings, and shifting federal priorities. We are concerned by the developments surrounding the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), including the placement of staff on administrative leave. The proposed drastic cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)—a staggering 70% staff reduction and the cancellation of all current and future grants—signal a significant challenge to our essential cultural infrastructure. The future remains uncertain, but this moment reminds us how essential it is to stay connected, informed, and ready to respond together.
At Creative West, our approach to federal advocacy continues to center on care and coordination: defending public funding and the institutions that sustain our field, deepening our support for state and local arts advocates, and nurturing the partnerships that help all of us do more. In the update below, we’re highlighting timely efforts from across the sector and sharing ways you can stay engaged and take action—because it’s through our shared efforts that we build lasting support for arts and culture.
Our Federal Advocacy Strategy
At this moment, Creative West is committed to a thoughtful and proactive approach to advocacy. Our strategy is grounded in four priorities—an evolution of our federal priorities originally developed in concert with the Western Arts Advocacy Network:
- Defend federal cultural agencies and the public funding that support artists, institutions, and communities nationwide.
- Support the vital work of state and local arts advocacy organizations, who are closest to communities and on the front lines of policy change.
- Strengthen our partnerships across and beyond the cultural sector, because we know our impact is greatest when we move together.
- Equip our community by sharing timely updates and practical ways to build your advocacy capacity.
Spotlight on Sector Leadership & Active Campaigns
We are grateful to be working in coalition with national partners leading critical advocacy efforts. We encourage you to explore their campaigns and resources:
Updated April 17, 2025
🗞️ News Updates Impacting the Arts and Cultural Sector
- Americans for the Arts Action Fund Breaking News Page
- Americans for the Arts Executive Orders & Their Impact on the Arts: Comprehensive Guide
- Arts Midwest Webinar: Unpacking the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders on DEI
- Creative States Coalition Federal Updates – As of April 3, 2025
⚖️ Court Cases Impacting the Arts and Cultural Sector
- Rhode Island Latino Arts v. National Endowment for the Arts
- Attorneys General of 20 states v. Donald Trump and administration
- Case Filing – Suing for abrupt elimination of Congressionally mandated organizations, including IMLS
- American Library Association, AFSCME Challenge Trump Administration Gutting of Institute of Museum and Library Services
📣 Active Campaigns to Protect the Federal Cultural Agencies ⚠️ Federal Cultural Agencies At Risk
- American Alliance of Museums – Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Campaign
- American Library Association – Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Campaign
- National Humanities Alliance – National Endowment for the Humanities Campaign
- Federation of State Humanities Councils – National Endowment for the Humanities Campaign
🧰 Additional Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations
- Resources for Federal Grant and Contract Terminations
- 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
- 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
- Legal Resources
Additionally, we encourage you to review the 2025 Arts Leadership and Advocacy Seminar Impact Report, which offers valuable insights from advocates who met with the members of Congress on Creative West’s most recent trip to Washington, DC on March 2-5, 2025.
Stay Connected & Take Action
We invite you to stay engaged with us and with one another:
- Connect with Creative West through our Action Center to revisit these resources and other advocacy tools managed by our Advocacy, Alliances, and Public Policy team.
- Support your local and state advocacy organizations—they are doing essential work in your communities and need your voice and partnership.
- If you need help connecting to advocates in your state or jurisdiction, you can also reach out to David Holland, Deputy Director or Cynthia Chen, Manager of Public Policy and Advocacy.
Together, we remain committed to protecting and advancing the arts—not just in policy, but in practice, and in the lives of the communities we serve.
With gratitude and resolve,
Creative West
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