The Future of Art is Under Attack

Today’s blog was supposed to dive into music competitions, how the current standard upholds the exclusivity of music, especially classical music, and how it can be done better. However, current events have put other non-profit related issues to the front of mind. I’ll save the competition discussion for a future post.
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In case you are not aware, the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) is a federal agency that provides funding to arts organizations across the country. It’s a wonderful initiative, and one that I wished the government would pour more funding into. However, as is typical of our current administration, the opposite has happened. Arts orgs across the country are in trouble.
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The Problem:

On May 2nd, nonprofits across the country received an email with devastating news. "The NEA is updating its grantmaking policy priorities to focus funding on projects that reflect the nation's rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President," (npr.org). Worded in a way that would make Mussolini tear up, was the announcement that, “Consequently, we are terminating awards that fall outside these new priorities.” Organizations that worked to bring music to children in underfunded schools, ensembles and theaters that put on concerts for their communities, and art galleries and studios that showcase incredible new works, all got the news that their grants were now cancelled.

According to a crowd-sourced spreadsheet organized by Annie Dorsen, over $26 million in previously approved NEA funding–impacting over 500 American arts organizations, has been cancelled. This is just so far, more cancellations are being added as time goes on. You can access this spreadsheet keeping track of current numbers here.

To say this is disgusting is an understatement. It’s a clear attempt to censor and control the arts. It’s a clear money grab by the great Oligarchy of America. After an entire generation goes without learning what music is, this administration will turn around and chirp about all the money they saved. I’m grieving what it will cost us in the near future.
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The First and Last Line of Defense:

As much as arts nonprofits are an early target to receive blows from an intolerant administration, they are also one of the last things standing in the way of complete defunding and censorship of artistic voices. As much as it will be difficult, they must continue to offer our services to artists and audiences. The whole reason that we need arts orgs is that our government already was doing little to nothing to support the folks who choose to do this as a profession. In this dark time, nonprofit and mutual aid work will be more difficult than ever, but also more important than ever.

To orgs looking for alternative revenue sources during this time, I implore you not to resort to any that would create new financial barriers to access. Do not implement application fees–if you absolutely must, always allow for a clearly advertised waiver. Reduce your credential requirements (i.e. college degrees, required status as a student, etc.). Do not require accompanists for solo competitions. All these things alienate the most vulnerable members of our community, and those folks are the ones we want to engage with right?
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If the government is abandoning arts entirely, it’s up to us to keep the arts alive, ensuring that people have access to it even when those in power don’t want that.
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​What Can be Done?

To more established organizations, working with lawyers and unions could potentially be an option. I’m not a lawyer, so I don’t necessarily have knowledge in how that would play out. However, I do know that there are several firms and non profits actively combatting and suing the Trump administration, and miraculously they are winning. There is hope.

To orgs not in a position to fight the administration directly, you can still act as individuals. Maybe your nonprofit will need to do what it can to appease the delusional lion, but what your workers do on their own time—what your team members support in their free time, you have no control over. I urge all artists, regardless of their affiliation with nonprofits, to get involved politically. You can call your representatives directly and tell them to combat these changes. I’m currently running a “contacting congress” series which takes up every other post on this blog where I provide a step by step guide and prompts for contacting congress. If you’d like to participate, you can read the last post I made on this here, or just tune in next month for the next update!

​Beyond getting involved politically, help each other out. Attend/stream performances of your peers, buy their albums, donate to their nonprofits, commission, purchase and program their music. It’s amazing what even a small message of support can do, especially now. We are not powerless, we have each other. The more we can do to communicate our agency, the better. The government can pull funding, but it can’t stop art itself. Trump is playing with fire. 

Thank you for reading. Keep your chin up and your wits about you. Until next month, happy jamming!