Preparing for Transition: Advocacy for the Arts in a New Washington

With less than two weeks before President-elect Trump is sworn in for his second term on January 20, the new Congress has arrived in Washington to take their oaths and begin governing. This Congress and the incoming administration face a packed agenda. Chief among their tasks is negotiating a full funding bill for fiscal year 2025. Before the holidays, Congress extended federal FY2025 funding only until March 14, giving the new administration less than two months to secure a comprehensive agreement.

Additionally, Congress will need to address the debt ceiling, projected to be reached this summer and requiring bipartisan negotiation to lift it. President-elect Trump has signaled his priorities for the legislative year, including a reconciliation bill to extend and expand the 2017 tax law, amend immigration laws and potentially revisit provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act.

For supporters of the arts, this period of transition presents challenges and opportunities. Our focus will remain on building bipartisan support for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and state arts agencies. While we await the announcement of the next NEA chair, we hope the president-elect selects someone with a vision and dedication similar to those of Mary Anne Carter, who successfully led the agency during Trump’s first term.

How can you contribute to this effort? Start by contacting your congressional delegation:

Share updates about your agency’s programs and emphasize the integral role of federal funding in making them possible.
Emphasize that public funding for arts and creativity is a high-return investment that benefits every American in every city, town and rural community nationwide. (See Arts and Creativity Strengthen Our Nation for additional talking points.)
Highlight the federal-state partnership, which ensures that 40% of all NEA grant dollars flow directly to state arts agencies and regional arts organizations. With many new congressional staff members just settling into their roles, this is a critical moment to educate them about the partnership’s structure and its benefits.

As we step into this year of significant transition, let’s work together to ensure that the arts remain a priority in Washington. Your voice and advocacy are essential to sustaining and strengthening federal support for the arts.