Stand for Arts Education

We are always ready to defend Arts Education. Join us.

At Amp Up Arts, we’re committed to the belief that every student deserves access to a full and vibrant education—including the arts. In times of uncertainty, we stay grounded in action. We’re always ready to inform, to uplift, and to stand together in defense of the creative opportunities that shape our children and our communities.

Right now, proposed federal budget changes are threatening the systems that make arts education possible, from national funding for culture and education to local programming that impacts our schools, museums, libraries, and public media.

These are not isolated decisions; they are deeply interconnected. When one piece is cut, the entire structure feels the strain. Arts and education are woven into the fabric of every community. When one thread begins to fray, the whole tapestry is at risk.

What's At Stake

Funding Cuts to Public Education

UPDATE (July 1, 2025): In addition to these proposed cuts, many school districts are now facing a temporary freeze on federal Title funds, including Title I, II, and IV, which many schools use to support arts instruction, teaching artists, and supplies. The delay has already impacted programming for the 2025–2026 school year.

On May 2, the President released a “skinny” budget that includes a $4.5 billion funding cut. This proposal would combine 18 programs into one underfunded block grant, directly affecting:

Teacher preparation and development
Special education services
Student mental health programs
Civil rights enforcement

These programs directly impact students’ ability to access and succeed in arts education, especially in under-resourced and historically marginalized communities.

Elimination of Cultural Institutions

UPDATE (July 15, 2025): The House Interior Subcommittee has officially proposed a 35% funding cut to the NEA, which directly supports arts programs in schools, local organizations, and communities across Alabama and the nation.

Major cultural organizations are targeted for complete elimination under this proposal:

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)

Organizations across the country—including several that have long-standing ties to schools, community partners, and educators—are already receiving termination or withdrawal notices for previously awarded federal grants.

This puts essential programming, educational outreach, and student enrichment efforts at risk.

How You Can Take Action
The time to advocate is now. You can stand with us and amplify the arts.

Contact Your Lawmakers

Use these quick links to send a clear message to your elected officials about the value of the arts and the urgent need for continued funding:

Support Arts Education
Use this tool to advocate for sustained federal support of arts education, including funding through Title IV of the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Protect the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Let Congress know how the NEA empowers communities, fuels local economies, and supports equitable access to the arts.

Protect the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
Send a message through the National Humanities Alliance to urge lawmakers to defend NEH funding and its crucial support of libraries, schools, and humanities organizations.

Protect the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Museums and libraries are pillars of lifelong learning and access. Use this link to contact Congress about preserving IMLS resources.

Learn How Title Funding Supports the Arts
This site provides valuable guidance on using federal education funding (like Title I and Title IV-A) to support arts programs in schools. Great for both advocates and educators.

If Your Organization Has Received a Grant Termination Notice

If your program or organization was awarded an NEA grant and has since received a cancellation notice, you are strongly encouraged to file an appeal by the deadline outlined in the NEA's email.

In some cases, those deadlines fall as early as Friday, May 9.

Even if you believe your appeal won’t change the outcome, submitting one is still critically important. Here's why:

It preserves your organizational standing and funding history.
It allows you to be counted in the larger response effort.
It signals the scale and seriousness of the impact to both Congress and federal agencies.
It strengthens the unified voice of the arts community.

Resources to Guide the Appeal Process

Holland & Knight: What Recipients Need to Know if a Federal Grant Is Terminated
A legal perspective on what steps to take if your organization’s grant is pulled.

National Council of Nonprofits: What to Do When Your Federal Grant or Contract is Terminated
A checklist of immediate actions to take if you're facing funding disruption.

Step-by-step Templates and Guidance
Sample language and strategic advice for writing your appeal.

This moment may feel overwhelming—but it is exactly the kind of moment that calls us to rise. At Amp Up Arts, we remain always ready to speak out, take action, and ensure that the arts remain an essential part of every child’s education and every community’s future.

We need your voice.
We need your advocacy.
We need your action—today.

Together, let’s show our strength.