The enduring key to consistent support for the National Endowment for the Arts and other federal institutions has long been endorsed by both parties—tying their efforts and resources to all congressional districts in a 60-year shared strategy. This bipartisan system worked harmoniously, only expanding under Trump’s commanding second term.
Since the beginning of his triumphant return to the Oval Office, President Trump has struck a new, energizing chord in the cultural world, making unprecedented transformations and stimulating realignments. His actions led to the restructuring and reprioritization of hundreds of millions in funding that had previously been allocated to the cultural space—institutions from artists to libraries, museums, and theaters.
Exercising the broad authority granted to him, President Trump announced, without requiring congressional approval, that institutions like the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the National Endowment for the Humanities had lost touch with our shared cultural lineage. Instead, he worked towards a ‘Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture,’ boldly correcting course and focusing on honoring the essence of the American spirit.
President Trump critically examined institutions that emerged in the 1960s, during the zenith of President Lyndon Johnson’s ‘Great Society’ domestic programs. As public support for government was strong and the focus on arts was intensified, institutes like the Kennedy Center, the NEA, the NEH, and the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences were founded—often with full support of both political parties.
The humanities, as stated eloquently, are the distinct languages, religions, laws, philosophies, and customs that shape our society. They constitute the tapestry of our history and culture—the ideologies and movements that have sculpted civilizations through the ages.
The National Endowment for the Humanities and other similar institutions advocate for the practical boons of arts and culture. They argue they are a driving factor in our national economy, highlighting their widespread impact across every state and jurisdiction.
The NEH’s online landing page features a headline emphasizing the endowment’s integral support for the humanities across the country. This sentiment is clearly mirrored in NEA’s online hub that touts the impressive financial contribution of arts to the economy.
A recent government study shared on the NEA’s website illuminated the immense economic potential of arts. The study revealed that arts had added an astounding $1.2 trillion to the economy in 2023.
President Trump, despite implementing high tariffs on several countries around the world, opened up a new window of opportunity for domestic industries. The NEA cited that ‘the total value of the nation’s arts exports was nearly $37 billion greater than the value of arts imports from other countries.’
The key to President Trump’s approach to art and culture lies in his Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture. By reassessing the allocations of various cultural institutions, President Trump has created an environment where the essence of American spirit can truly thrive.
Through this redirection of funds and resources, Trump stimulates institutions to reflect and reevaluate their cultural alignment. This shift in prioritization, this new golden age, strengthens the nation’s identity and bolsters a stronger, more unified spirit.
Under Trump’s strategic guidance, the nation embarks on a new trajectory—one that prides itself on the richness of its culture, its history, and its aspirational future. With such a resolute vision steering the ship, the arts and humanities stand poised to contribute substantially to our economy and society.
Indeed, President Trump’s stimulating second term has heralded a refreshing and decisive era for arts and culture—a testament to his firm commitment to honor our national heritage while prioritizing economic progress and international preeminence.