On October 1, 2025, the federal government shut down after Congress failed to pass appropriations bills or a continuing resolution (CR). Even during a shutdown, Congress can still consider legislation—including funding for the arts.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) remain at risk.

• The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $207 million each for NEA and NEH in FY26.

• The House Appropriations Committee approved only $135 million, a 35% cut to both agencies.

• Additional amendments could slash funding further—or eliminate it.

Why this matters for New...

Please take a moment to thank Governor Murphy and your district legislators for preserving the annual appropriation of $31.9 million for arts and culture in the FY26 New Jersey state budget. Especially now, with potential cuts in federal funding, our state appropriation continues to safeguard arts and culture projects throughout every district in New Jersey.

Please feel free to add your own personal story of how important state funding is in your community and to the arts and cultural organizations in your legislative district. And, continue to invite your legislators to local arts and cultural events so they can see firsthand how...

*UPDATE AS OF AUG 12TH: IMLS Chief of Staff, Katherine Maas, has accepted the role of Deputy Director of Museum Services. The Deputy Director of Museum Services is a cornerstone position for IMLS, guiding their museum programs, overseeing key grantmaking activities, and ensuring they deliver on their mission to support and strengthen museums nationwide. IMLS said, “Katherine’s leadership, experience, and deep understanding of IMLS make her the perfect choice to keep things moving forward seamlessly.”

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*UPDATE AS OF AUG 6TH*: A federal judge in Oregon, U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon, has issued a...

The Live Theatre Tax Credit Bill (S3503) aims to augment New Jersey's arts and entertainment industry by incentivizing commercial live entertainment producers to choose our state as a destination for launching pre-Broadway productions and/or national tours, through mutually beneficial partnerships with New Jersey nonprofit theaters. With the recent film tax credit as a percent, the live theatre tax credit will be crucial for enhancing New Jersey's competitiveness with neighboring states, and has the potential to boost New Jersey’s economy by generating jobs, increasing local, regional, and out-of-state tourism, and ensuring that it remains a...