PA Humanities opposes the Trump administration’s 2026 budget proposal, which seeks to eliminate the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and the Historic Preservation Fund. Coupled with the termination of grants by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the slashing of public broadcasting, these actions represent an unprecedented dismantling of our civic and cultural infrastructure.
This moment is about more than budget cuts—it’s about our shared values. Our nation’s cultural institutions are the bedrock of an informed, creative, and prosperous society. Stripping them away is a direct threat to the public good and to democracy itself.
The cumulative effect of these budgetary actions reflects a broader, deeply troubling pattern of disinvestment in the programs that help communities thrive. These cuts erode what brings people together, fuels local economies, inspires youth, and strengthens civic life. As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, we are undermining what has historically bound us together.
In short, we are defunding our future.
The impact will be felt across Pennsylvania, from rural libraries and small-town museums to urban arts organizations and local youth programs. The humanities, arts, and public media are deeply woven into the fabric of our state and make it the special place we call home. At stake is the very heart of who we are.
How PA Humanities is responding
PA Humanities is taking immediate, coordinated action to continue its mission and protect Pennsylvania’s communities:
- We are actively exploring legal avenues to challenge the abrupt termination of NEH funding.
- We’ve launched a statewide advocacy hub.
- We’re raising public awareness through sustained media engagement and strategic communications
- We’re streamlining our operations and securing stabilization funding from national and local funders.
A Call to Action
We must act. PA Humanities calls on all Pennsylvanians to stand up and speak out. Visit pahumanities.org/act for tools to contact your elected officials, provide financial support, and amplify the stories that show what’s at stake.
Together, we can protect the cultural and civic infrastructure essential to our democracy.
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