5:03 PM: An update to the story has been made to reflect a statement from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The National Endowment for the Arts has for its grant programs, which funds arts programs (including theatres) around the country. These guidelines say that any recipient of a grant from the federal agency needs to comply with current executive orders, including those signed by President Donald Trump. These new guidelines will apply to 2026 projects.
Under these new guidelines, anyone who applies for an NEA grant, needs to "ensure" that they are "compliant with all legal, regulatory, and policy requirements applicable to [their] award." This includes following any executive orders from the president.
Specifically, on , this includes not operating "any programs promoting 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' (DEI) that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, in accordance with Executive Order No. 14173" and not promoting "gender ideology, pursuant to Executive Order No. 14168, Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government."
Those two executive orders in particular were signed January 20 by Trump. Executive Order No. 14173 eliminated programs supporting diversity in federal agencies; those receiving federal contracts must also comply with the order. Executive Order No. 14168 identified "gender ideology" as "the idea that there is a vast spectrum of genders that are disconnected from one鈥檚 sex." It moves to eliminate any federal funds that "promote gender ideology." That executive order also says that "it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female" and dictates that all government ID reflect one of those two sexes (as opposed to using x as a third designation).
The NEA has also eliminated its Challenge America grants, which funded "arts projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups and communities that may have limited access to the arts relative to geography, ethnicity, economic status, and/or disability."
Instead, in new language posted to its , the NEA says that it encourages arts projects that focus on the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence in July 2026. The grant also encourages projects that collaborate with the following groups: "historically Black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities, American Indian and Alaska native tribes, hispanic serving Institutions, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and organizations that support the independence of people with disabilities.鈥� When asked how focusing on those aforementioned groups line up with Trump's anti-diversity executive orders, a representative from the NEA told 半岛体育: "NEA has had a long standing and historical relationships with these entities and continues to build awareness of our funding opportunities through these groups."
The NEA also said: "It is a longstanding legal requirement that all recipients of federal funds comply with applicable federal anti-discrimination laws, regulations and executive orders. The noted legal requirements simply highlight the new executive order and notes that all grantees must not operate 'any programs promoting 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' (DEI) that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws, in accordance with Executive Order No. 14173."
In his previous term, Trump threatened multiple times to eliminate the NEA, which awards grants to arts organizations spanning theatres, visual arts, opera, film, and many more. The previous attempt to axe the organization, whose budget is currently at $210.1 million, was prevented by Congress.
Of the many beneficiaries of the institution's grants are non-profit theatres, including many NYC companies who have in recent years adopted DEI policies. It remains to be seen how those companies will respond to this latest development, which comes at an already precarious moment for arts funding. The organization recently awarded over $36 million to 1,474 arts programs nationwide. It will announce another round of grants in the spring.
The NEA is currently without a chair as Maria Rosario Jackson, who was appointed by the Biden Administration in 2021, stepped down from her post January 20. Her replacement has not yet been named.
These latest changes are a sign of how much Trump is taking a heavy-handed approach to the arts since his return to office. On Friday, he also announced his plans to take over as chairman of the board at the Kennedy Center.
