Advocacy Alert

The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is committed to providing timely and accurate information on recent federal actions impacting cultural organizations throughout the region. Organizations and artists planning to submit an application for National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding should be aware that, in response to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and ACLU of Rhode Island’s lawsuit, the NEA agreed on March 7 to remove a certification requirement that forced artists to attest that they will not “promote gender ideology” in order to apply for funding while the outcome of the case from the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Rhode Island is pending. A hearing on the Rhode Island case is scheduled for March 18. In service to the Philadelphia region's creative community, the Cultural Alliance will continue providing updates and sharing information to assist you as you navigate the changing federal landscape.

The American Civil Liberties Union, in a press release, stated:

Artists can now apply for funding without attesting to the new “gender ideology” requirement, but the NEA has not agreed to remove its new eligibility criteria, under which any projects that appear to “promote gender ideology” will not receive an award. Applicants who choose to submit Part 1 of the grant application before the NEA changes its Assurance of Compliance or before March 11, whichever is sooner, may still want to make clear that they object to the certification when submitting that piece of their application.

“Artists and arts organizations should feel free to submit Part 1 of the NEA application on March 11 without having to agree to a certification that could have compromised their values or their vision,” said Vera Eidelman, senior staff attorney at the ACLU. “We will continue to seek urgent relief against the NEA’s unconstitutional bar on projects that express messages the government doesn’t like, but this is a huge step towards initial relief. We won’t stop fighting until these new requirements are struck down for good.”

The ACLU is asking for a preliminary injunction on the funding prohibition ahead of the final grant application deadline on March 24.

The ACLU, the ACLU of Rhode Island, David Cole, and Lynette Labinger, cooperating counsel for the ACLU-RI, filed suit Thursday in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island on behalf of Rhode Island Latino Arts; National Queer Theater; The Theater Offensive; and the Theater Communications Group. The suit argues that the new certification requirement and funding prohibition violate the Administrative Procedure Act, the First Amendment, and the Fifth Amendment. A hearing date is scheduled for March 18.

More information about the case can be found here: https://www.aclu.org/cases/rhode-island-latino-arts-v-national-endowment-for-the-arts

The Cultural Alliance is collaborating with our national, state, and local organizational peers to advocate for the robust, equitable policies and funding that support and further our unwavering commitment to amplifying the diverse voices of our cultural community. We will continue to call on our elected officials to recognize the creative sector's indisputable contribution to the vitality of our region and our essential contribution to the well-being of our residents.

We can all make a difference by: 
  • Educating decision-makers about the creative sector’s value to our communities and their constituents
  • Building constructive relationships with elected officials and members of their staff that will serve the cultural community in the near and long term.
 

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The Cultural Alliance is a tireless advocate for arts and culture. By supporting the Cultural Alliance, you are taking action to protect our creative community. 

 

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The advocacy work of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is underwritten by the Cultural Cabinet.

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