Local Arts Groups Face Budget Cuts as NEA Pulls Grants

Discussion Questions

1. Who was affected by the NEA grant cuts?
2. What types of projects did the NEA grants fund?
3. When did NEA grant recipients find out their grants were cut?
4. Why did the Trump administration say they were cutting the arts grants, according to the letter they sent to grant recipients?
5. How do cuts to NEA grants affect local economies?

Extension Activity

Learn more about the projects and groups that the NEA grants funded.

Start by reading this statement by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASSA):

"The NEA plays a vital role in helping communities to thrive through the arts. Its work touches more than 24 million Americans each year. Federal arts funds facilitate public access to cultural opportunities in every U.S. congressional district. They spark economic growth, promote good health, bolster civic cohesion and catalyze positive community engagement. When it has full resources, the NEA ensures that every community has access to these advantages. 34% of NEA grant projects take place in high-poverty neighborhoods and 18% go to rural areas and small towns. 75% of NEA arts education grants engage underserved youth, helping them to flourish in and out of school."

Next, read the priorities of the Trump administration which were outlined in the letter sent to the arts organizations whose grants were cut, as reported by National Public Radio (NPR):

"The email states President Trump's priorities as being: "Projects that elevate the Nation's HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions, celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, foster AI competency, empower houses of worship to serve communities, assist with disaster recovery, foster skilled trade jobs, make America healthy again, support the military and veterans, support Tribal communities, make the District of Columbia safe and beautiful, and support the economic development of Asian American communities."

Now, jot down some thoughts in response to the following question to share with a classmate or with your whole class: Do you think there is a case that could be made for how the priorities of the Trump administration (see #2) align with the statement by NASSA (see #1) as to what the grants accomplish and who they affect? Explain why/why not. Use the arts organizations from the News Hour story and the NPR story to help you. You may also choose to look up to see if an NEA grant was cut where you live (i.e. research non-profit arts advocacy organizations in your county/state) or by contacting your state arts organization.

Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.