“National Endowment for the Arts Distributes $36.8 Million in Grants to Over 1,400 Artists and Organizations”

# NEA Allocates $36.8 Million for Arts and Culture in First Round of Fiscal Year 2025 Funding

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced its first round of grants for Fiscal Year 2025, totaling $36.8 million. These grants will benefit 1,474 artists, museums, and organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, reaffirming the role of arts and culture as vital contributors to community enrichment, education, and public engagement.

### A Historic Year for Arts Funding

This year’s allocation represents a significant increase from the $32 million distributed in January 2024. NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson emphasized in a press release that the projects chosen for funding will explore innovative ways to embed arts into community life. The broad spectrum of grantees spans all 50 states and Puerto Rico, ensuring that the funding reaches diverse audiences, especially those in traditionally underserved communities.

Despite previous political hurdles, including Republican-led efforts to cut funding for the NEA and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Congress approved an additional $2 million for NEA’s 2025 budget last summer, bringing its annual funding to $209 million. This support underscores the importance of the arts even during contentious budget debates.

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### Key Highlights of the 2025 NEA Grants

#### **Grants for Arts Projects** ($31.8 Million)

The majority of the NEA’s funds will go toward its flagship “Grants for Arts Projects” program, which promotes public engagement and arts education through various endeavors in visual and performing arts.

– **Northern Arizona University** received $25,000 for its innovative *Indigenous Youth Media Workshop*. This 11-day program engages Indigenous high school students in storytelling by pairing them with veteran journalists, photographers, and documentarians.

– In Chicago, **Territory NFP** was awarded $30,000 to support “Creating Space,” a public community center focused on urban design and educational programming for local youth.

#### **Challenge America** ($2.7 Million)

To extend access to the arts in underserved communities, $10,000 Challenge America grants will be provided to smaller organizations. These grants require a cost-sharing model, fostering community participation and ownership.

– **Three Rivers Art Council** in North Dakota will use its grant to establish a Native artists’ residency program. The residency will feature public performances, including presentations by NEA National Heritage Fellow Bryan Akipa, a celebrated flutist and flute maker.

#### **Film and Media Arts** ($2.8 Million)

Recognizing the power of film and media to tell transformative stories, the NEA allocated awards to 105 institutions, including:

– **Art21**, which received funding to continue its acclaimed *Art in the Twenty-First Century* series.
– **Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC)**, awarded funds for its MediaMaker fellowships, which nurture emerging documentary filmmakers.

#### **Museum and Exhibition Support**

Fifty-four museums across the U.S. received NEA grants to support exhibitions, programming, and operational costs. Notable recipients include:

– **Honolulu Museum of Art**, which secured $50,000 to highlight the works of Japanese printmaker Kōshirō Onchi while funding staff salaries tied to the exhibition.
– **Grand Rapids Art Museum**, which received the highest grant amount to present an exhibition and public programs on human migration by artist Christopher Myers.

#### **Research Grants on Art and Well-Being**

The NEA also awarded grants to research institutions to explore the impact of arts on society.

– **Carnegie Mellon University** was granted $80,000 to study how artificial intelligence can support creative use among university students, with implications for arts education.
– **Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center** in Atlanta received $80,000 to investigate the effects of museum visits on adult well-being, contributing to the growing field of arts and health science.

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### Advocacy Amid Political Challenges

Arts funding remains a politically charged issue, with some voices in government questioning the necessity of agencies like the NEA and NEH. During his first term, former President Donald Trump labeled these agencies as “wasteful,” and just last summer, Oklahoma Republican Rep. Josh Brecheen attempted to reduce their budgets significantly. Yet, arts advocates and bipartisan coalitions in Congress have consistently defended federal investment in the arts.

In July 2024, the Senate reaffirmed its commitment to arts funding by approving NEA’s budget increase to $209 million for the 2025 fiscal year. Meanwhile, public engagement and grassroots campaigns have proved instrumental in ensuring continued support for cultural initiatives nationwide.

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### A Look Ahead

The NEA’s first round of 2025 funding sets the tone for what promises to be a fruitful year in arts and culture, supporting bold projects that engage communities