Podcast Summary: All Of It – Episode: Arts Funding in a New Administration

Release Date: February 19, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart | WNYC

Introduction

In this episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart, the focus centers on the evolving landscape of arts funding under the new Trump administration and the burgeoning unionization efforts within New York City's Off Broadway theater scene. Through insightful discussions with Michael Paulson, a New York Times theater reporter, the episode delves into the National Endowment for the Arts' (NEA) revised grant policies and the implications for local arts organizations, alongside the challenges faced by theater stagehands seeking better wages and benefits.

NEA Policy Changes Under the Trump Administration

Alison Stewart opens the conversation by addressing significant shifts in the NEA's grant-awarding procedures aligning with President Trump's executive orders. Michael Paulson elaborates on these changes:

"The NEA has rewritten all of the rules for applying for grants... The rules changes were made to bring the policies into compliance with President Trump's executive orders. And the two that have been of most concern to some artists are rules that say that no organization applying for a grant can be promoting diversity equity initiatives in ways that violate federal law, and that none of these organizations can use federal money to promote what the Trump administration calls gender ideology, which is generally understood to refer to transgender acceptance policies."
(04:01)

Impact on Local Arts Organizations

Paulson discusses the critical role NEA funding plays, especially for smaller organizations:

"For small organizations, and there are small organizations all over the country that have been getting grants from the NEA, it's very important. But the other thing that arts organizations often talk about is that NEA funding can function as a kind of Good Housekeeping seal of approval..."
(04:07)

This funding not only supports financial needs but also lends credibility, aiding in securing additional private donations.

Artist Backlash and NEA's Response

The episode highlights a significant backlash from the arts community, exemplified by a letter from over 400 artists, including notable figures like Lynn Nottage and Paula Vogel:

"The letter asks the NEA to drop these new requirements about diversity and about gender. They say that these are sort of forms of discrimination, and they ask the NEA to reconsider coming into compliance with the president's executive orders."
(05:08)

Paulson notes the NEA's stance:

"The NEA, not surprisingly, is saying it's a federal agency and it needs to comply with executive orders issued by the current president."
(05:38)

Uncertainty and NEA's Leadership

With the NEA currently lacking a designated administrator, Marianne Carter serves as a senior advisor and de facto leader. Paulson remarks on the uncertainty surrounding future funding:

"There's a fair amount of uncertainty about what that's going to mean for arts funding going forward."
(06:38)

Comparing to the first Trump administration, Paulson observes:

"The NEA has not been giving grants to individual artists for some decades... The first Trump administration did propose eliminating all funding for the NEA, but that did not go anywhere with Congress."
(07:49)

Unionization Efforts in Off Broadway

Shifting focus to the local theater scene, Paulson discusses the ongoing strike by stagehands at the Atlantic Theater Company:

"The workers say they need to be paid a living wage and they want the theater to contribute to health and pension funds... The theater... says they face an existential crisis..."
(09:01)

This strike has led to the cancellation of current productions, highlighting the fragile balance between fair wages and operational sustainability within nonprofit theaters.

Broader Implications for Off Broadway Productions

Paulson expands on the broader movement to unionize Off Broadway institutions, noting successes and ongoing negotiations:

"They are trying to get contracts... The Public Theater... the Vineyard Theater... and two long-running for-profit productions off Broadway... have now negotiated contracts with the producers."
(12:27)

Conclusion

The episode provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing the arts sector under changing federal policies and the push for better labor conditions within the theater industry. Alison Stewart and Michael Paulson illuminate the tensions between governmental directives, organizational survival, and the artists' pursuit of equity and sustainability. As New York City's vibrant cultural landscape navigates these complexities, the dialogue underscores the resilience and advocacy within the arts community striving to preserve and evolve the cultural fabric of the city.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Michael Paulson (04:01): "The NEA has rewritten all of the rules for applying for grants... no organization applying for a grant can be promoting diversity equity initiatives in ways that violate federal law..."

• Michael Paulson (04:07): "NEA funding can function as a kind of Good Housekeeping seal of approval..."

• Michael Paulson (05:08): "The letter asks the NEA to drop these new requirements about diversity and about gender..."

• Michael Paulson (09:01): "The workers say they need to be paid a living wage and they want the theater to contribute to health and pension funds..."

This episode of All Of It offers valuable insights into the intersection of federal policy, arts funding, and labor rights within one of the world's most dynamic cultural hubs. Whether you're an artist, theater enthusiast, or advocate for cultural policies, the discussions presented provide a nuanced understanding of the current challenges and the ongoing efforts to address them.