Trump Administration Plans to Eliminate National Endowments for Arts, Humanities

The Trump administration's 2026 budget proposal seeks to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and other cultural agencies, aiming to reduce the size of the federal government and cut non-defense spending. This move would have a significant impact on arts and humanities funding, threatening programs that support jobs, education, and local economies across every congressional district, including underserved communities. Arts advocates and unions, such as Actors’ Equity Association and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, have strongly opposed the cuts, highlighting the arts sector’s substantial economic contributions and its role in job creation. The proposal follows recent actions by the administration to cancel grants and lay off staff at the NEH and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, with some funds redirected to alternative projects like the National Garden of American Heroes. Despite similar proposals in the past, bipartisan support in Congress has preserved these agencies, and advocates are mobilizing to defend them once again. The controversy underscores ongoing debates about the federal role in supporting arts and culture, with critics warning of economic harm and loss of vital community programming if the cuts proceed.