Dear Arts Advocate, Yesterday, Congress failed to pass either a budget or a Continuing Resolution (CR) before the midnight deadline, causing government funding to lapse at 12:01 a.m. ET on October 1, 2025. As a direct result, federal offices have been closed and all but “essential services” have ground to a halt. While government shutdowns are rare, this is not without precedent—five have occurred in the past 45 years, the most recent lasting 35 days in 2018. It is too soon to know how long this one will last. However, extended shutdowns jeopardize federal employee paychecks and disrupt the operations of countless programs, including those funded by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). While the Smithsonian has pledged to keep its 21 museums and the national zoo open through October 6, National Park Service sites across the country, including Independence Hall, are shutting down. Adding to these concerns, the Trump Administration has dismissed all but four members of the NEH Council, the independent advisory body that helps guide the agency’s work. According to The Washington Post, the administration has not clarified whether it intends to replace the council with new members or leave the body largely vacant. This move creates further uncertainty for the NEH at a critical time. As Congress continues to debate appropriations bills—including the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which funds both the NEA and NEH—the Cultural Alliance remains steadfast in our advocacy. We are working with lawmakers and our national partners to ensure robust federal funding for arts and humanities programs that sustain our creative sector and enrich communities across our region and the nation. What’s Next -
We will continue monitoring developments closely and provide you with timely updates as new information emerges. -
We are in direct conversation with policymakers to reinforce the importance of protecting federal cultural funding. -
We will be sharing next steps for action, including ways for you—our members and community partners—to engage directly with policymakers. Our region’s artists, cultural organizations, and communities depend on this funding. Together, we must make clear that creative expression and the resulting creative economy are essential to our democracy, our country’s economic vitality, and our shared future. We encourage you to stay engaged as we navigate these developments together. We will share further guidance as soon as it becomes available. Grow the circle of engagement by sharing this Advocacy Alert and future Cultural Alliance Advocacy Alerts with fellow members of our cultural community and allies. Thank you for your continued partnership and advocacy. | 
