Funding the Arts in Uncertain Times: Resilience, Strategy, and Resistance
Over the last six weeks, I have heard from many clients, artists, partners, and colleagues who are understandably concerned about the state of arts funding and the ripple effects this administration’s executive orders may have on their fundraising efforts, and in turn, their programming and staffing, and further - their ability to carry out their missions.
And this is what I tell them –
Just because the administration has made changes to the National Endowment for the Arts and taken over the Kennedy Center does not mean he is changing how all of philanthropy or the nonprofit sector operates. And it certainly doesn’t mean he is changing the way artists operate.
These executive orders only impact federal grants and contracts. It may impact state and local funding. This does NOT impact private philanthropy.
Private foundations and individuals still have agency to make donations as they see fit. And we, as a sector, need to lean on them to step ALL the way up. NOW.
As one of my favorite thought leaders, Vu Le, has written many times, we must encourage funders to increase their annual distributions from their endowments, decrease barriers in applications and reporting requirements, make multi-year general operating grants, and trust their grantees doing the work. Now is the time. Funders, do not over-intellectualize and issue an RFP for a strategic plan on how to do these things. Just DO them. Trust the people on the ground doing the work. Support the communities that you say that you do in your mission statement. Walk the walk. NOW.
I was encouraged last week when I received an email from the New England Foundation for the Arts, which stated that they had every intention of upholding their commitment to equity and to their grantees. The MacArthur Foundation announced they are increasing their distributions 5% to 6% for the next two years. These are a start, and I would encourage both of these funders and their peers to go even further and do even more.
As we navigate these uncertain times, below are some funding strategies you can consider:
National Endowment for the Arts
There is an executive order (that is currently being challenged) that states that organizations that have DEI programs must dissolve them in order to receive NEA funding.
Now, our sector has never been sufficiently supported by the federal government. NEA Grants for Arts Project grants range from $10,000 - $100,000. Certainly not nothing, but also not an amount that will jeopardize an organization's entire budget. However, given this current mandate, organizations are questioning whether they can or should apply to the NEA at all.
We are in a bit of a catch-22 situation here because it would be easy to say don’t apply. But if applications for funding decrease, that’s proof enough for lawmakers to say that arts organizations don’t need federal funding at all. Which is definitely not what we want! However, we also don’t want to compromise our integrity by complying with executive orders that are contrary to our values just for the sake of receiving a mid-sized grant.
My take - applications are still going to be reviewed by colleagues and peers who understand the environment we’re in. NEA staff still uphold our shared values. So, perhaps we use our creativity to beat them at their own game.
Maybe instead of “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” we say “Understanding, Empathy, and Respect”. Maybe we can check the box that we don’t have any DEI programs because we never had any to begin with because equity is a core value of and a lens through which we do the work and not a department that is propped up. Now, I’m not so naive to say that there isn’t more work to be done (I’m looking at you Primarily White Institutions!), but what I am saying is that to him, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are just words that have been weaponized, but for us it is a practice, which doesn’t just disappear because someone claims himself to be king of the world. So, sure, maybe we stop using the phrase DEI. And we just spend our time doing the work and we’ll take those grant funds while we’re at it.
I also want to share that every time I have visited the NEA’s website over the last 6 weeks, the rotating image on their homepage has only featured BIPOC individuals, and I’m starting to think that the staff might be staging their own little rebellion. I have nothing to back that up. It could just be coincidence or….?
State and Local Arts Agencies
State and Local Arts Agencies do receive some funding from the NEA. It is a real possibility that they may have decreased re-granting funds that come from the NEA due to their own decisions about how they comply with the NEA’s restrictions. And for organizations and individuals that are in states and municipalities that are not historically generous with their arts funding or are more Republican leaning, there may be major budget cuts or elimination of arts funding entirely (I’m looking at you, FLORIDA), as these governments might take the administration’s executive orders as signals to tamp down arts support.
Unfortunately, these are potential real outcomes, so I would recommend reaching out to your state and local arts councils to get a better understanding of how changes in federal funding might impact their annual granting funds, so you can better prepare your respective budgets.
Also, it is SO important to stay involved and advocate for arts funding at a state and local level. Many states have arts advocacy organizations that work with local governments to safeguard arts funding. If you aren’t already, get involved with your local advocacy groups. I can guarantee that they need your support just as much as you need theirs!
Set Up Meetings with Your Closest Supporters
As I just outlined, there may be some holes in your operating budget due to the potential of not receiving an NEA award or receiving a decreased state or city grant. Do not despair! This is where you go to your closest foundation and individual donors to let them know what you are experiencing and how they can support. Ask for multi-year, general operating support to help fill the gap you anticipate from decreased government support. Make a list of people you can ask, take them to lunch, tell them what you are facing, and ask them to stand in their values alongside you by making a meaningful contribution to your organization to make sure that you can weather this storm.
Review Expenses
We have to raise money because we have bills to pay, right? Things to do and oppressive systems to smash! But also, we want to make it to the other side of this. As you plan for your seasons and programming, consider what expenses are must-haves and what might be a maybe-later expense. If the expenses are managed, the fundraising burden may not be so high.
I also want to share some thoughts on how to just make it through right now as humans:
We are living in insane times, acknowledge that. Give yourself grace and take moments for rest when you need it.
Limit your exposure to the news, but stay informed. I turned off my breaking news notifications because I would often see an alert, which would derail me for the rest of the day. Instead, I limit my news reading to the morning and the evening - it’s been a better practice for me!
Lean on your people. We’re all going through it, and it’s so helpful to know you are not alone.
It’s not on you to fight the power all by yourself. Do what you can, but know there are lots of other people (like lawyers and organizers and advocates who do this professionally) fighting the good fight alongside you.
Find joy!
Remember - art is resistance. Art will always be a vehicle to uplift the stories and experiences of those who have been silenced and marginalized. So just making your art and being your authentic self is a radical act.
In Solidarity,
Stacy
