In Thursday’s (2/6) Washington Post, Anne Branigin, Herb Scribner, Sophia Nguyen, and Kriston Capps write, “The National Endowment for the Arts said Thursday that it will alter its 2026 grant guidelines… prioritizing projects that honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The moves come as the Trump administration’s directives to shut down diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs are forcing changes in Washington’s federally funded cultural institutions and as the executive branch seeks to put its mark on a patriotic celebration planned for next year. The Challenge America grant will be canceled for 2026, the NEA said … That program was reserved for projects that ‘extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups/communities,’ according to the NEA’s website. The agency encouraged Challenge America applicants instead to apply with the Grants for Arts Projects program. Now, however, Grants for Arts Projects will ‘encourage projects that celebrate the nation’s rich artistic heritage and creativity by honoring the semiquincentennial of the United States of America’ … Organizations that already submitted grant applications under the program must submit a new one that complies with the updated guidelines.”
