The National Endowment for the Arts is prioritizing funding for projects commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a move aligned with the Trump administration's America First policy, Axios reported.
The NEA, a federally funded agency, announced the shift in an email to arts organizations across the country obtained by Axios.
"Under the updated guidelines, the NEA continues to encourage projects that celebrate the nation's rich artistic heritage and creativity by honoring the semi-quincentennial of the United States of America," the NEA stated in its Thursday email.
As part of this transition, the agency paused at least one major grant program and requires new applications.
"The Challenge America opportunity is canceled for FY 2026," the NEA email said.
According to a now-removed description from the NEA website, the Challenge America program, previously emphasized under the Biden administration, aimed to support small organizations and extend arts access to underserved communities.
The NEA receives about $200 million annually in federal funding and provides grants to various cultural institutions, including orchestras, theater groups, literary magazines, museums, and independent artists.
The latest changes reflect a broader realignment under the Trump administration, which is conducting a comprehensive review of federal spending, scaling back diversity initiatives, and reassessing the teaching of U.S. history.
The Trump administration aims to emphasize patriotic themes and historical milestones in publicly funded arts programming by focusing on projects that honor the nation's founding.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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