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DANCE NEWS: Arts Grants Cancelled | NEA's Existence Threatened | Dance/USA Urges Your Involvement
From Dance/ USA:
On May 2, 2025, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) began canceling grants that had already been awarded. Funded organizations have been told their grants will be cut off on May 31. Many have already begun work or spent money in good faith, and now they face potential budget shortfalls, cancelled programs, and job losses.
These grant cancellations are especially harmful to small organizations, independent artists, and marginalized communities—including many in the dance field.
At the same time, the President’s newly released FY2026 budget proposes the total elimination of the NEA. While that budget is not yet law, it reflects a dangerous trend: the erosion of public support for the arts and the marginalization of creative workers and the creative sector.
This is part of a broader pattern of attacks on freedom of expression and on transgender and gender-diverse individuals.
From the first days of this administration, executive actions have targeted so-called "gender ideology" [sic] and rolled back protections for trans communities. These policies not only affect civil rights and healthcare—they contribute to a hostile climate that fuels further rollbacks, including those in arts funding. Dance/USA continues to stand with TGNC artists, and we reaffirm our support for the lawsuit challenging NEA rules that endanger LGBTQ+ applicants.
Dance /USA needs your voice now and has created a one-stop action hub where you can:
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Access unofficial resources and appeal guidance on our landing page
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Report a terminated grant to us
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Contact Congress to demand full funding for the NEA
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Share how NEA changes have impacted you or your organization
