Across the country, federal arts funding is under threat.
The National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services are all facing unprecedented scrutiny, and those cuts are trickling down.
Here in Alabama, the Alabama Humanities Alliance has paused grantmaking. The Alabama State Council on the Arts has signaled that their future grant cycles may have less to give. Even approved NEA funding, like the $30,000 awarded to Create Birmingham for our Jefferson County Memorial Quilt Project, may not arrive.
These shifts aren’t just accounting changes. They hit the heart of what we do and who we serve.
These public dollars aren’t just line items. They’re lifelines for Birmingham’s creative economy. They make it possible for filmmakers to train and find work, for small business owners to grow sustainable ventures, for local artists to share their craft, and for audiences to connect with the culture of our city. These dollars shape a Birmingham built by its creatives — a city that reflects all of us: our stories, our neighborhoods, our vision, and our voice.
We’re not panicking. We’re preparing. We’re pressing forward and moving ahead in good faith, continuing our programs and partnerships even as we prepare for a $50,000 shortfall in the months ahead. We’ve weathered tough moments before—and every time, it’s been our community that’s made the difference.
And we are asking you, our partners, champions, and community, to help us close that gap.
This moment calls for more than philanthropy. It calls for people who are connected, committed, and creative to lead the way.
Here’s how you can support:
- Make a donation of any size.
- Forward this message to a friend, funder, or local leader.
- Speak up for arts and culture funding at the state and federal level.
We’re not backing down. We believe in being clear about our values — that imagination, critical thinking, and just communities are essential to a strong and vibrant democracy.
Now is the time to show up for the creative economy. Let’s move forward together — not just to protect what we’ve built, but to keep building what’s next.
