National Endowment For The Arts, Creative Commons
Americans For the Arts or AFTA on March 6 shared an update on a significant development regarding the National Endowment for the Arts and recent changes to its grant requirements.
Key Development
On March 6 the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Rhode Island filed a lawsuit challenging the National Endowment for the Arts or NEA’s new assurance of compliance requirements stemming from Executive Order: Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity. The new requirements force NEA grant applicants to certify that they do not “promote gender ideology.”
Legal Context
Co-Plaintiffs
National Queer Theater, Rhode Island Latino Arts, Theatre Communications Group, and The Theater Offensive have joined as co-plaintiffs to challenge these new restrictions.
AFTA’S incoming CEO Erin Harkey has issued the following statement:
“The National Endowment for the Arts is critical in supporting the arts and communities nationwide. The current Administration’s new Executive Order has implications beyond the NEA and raises serious constitutional issues, and we support any effort to address these concerns. We hope the NEA and the courts will clarify any guidance on their enforcement before the upcoming grant deadlines.”
Information on DEI Compliance with NEA FY2026 Grant Opportunities
AFTA remains committed to supporting the NEA’s vital role in funding the arts, advocating for the entire arts and culture field and maintaining open dialogue with all stakeholders
For a comprehensive understanding of recent executive orders affecting the arts and culture sector, please refer to AFTA’s FAQ document: “Understanding Recent Executive Orders and Their Impact on Arts & Culture Organizations.”
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