Web Services powered by
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:
Active Campaigns to Protect the 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
Arts and Culture Sector News Updates
- Americans for the Arts Action Fund Breaking News Page
- Americans for the Arts Executive Orders & Their Impact on the Arts: Comprehensive Guide
- Creative States Coalition Federal Updates
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
CaFÉ is an online application submission system that strives to make art opportunities available to all by offering arts organizations an affordable submission platform and artists an easy way to apply.
GO Smart is an affordable grants management software that offers pre- and post-application forms, panel reviewing, and data reporting for grantmakers.
The Public Art Archive (PAA) is a free, searchable, and continually growing online database of completed public artworks throughout the U.S. and abroad, with a suite of resources and tools built for managing public art collections.
ZAPP provides art fair and festival administrators with a suite of tools to digitally collect and jury applications, manage booth payments, and communicate with applicants all in one easy-to-use digital platform. Artists can apply to hundreds of shows nationwide through a central website.