The Colorado Theatre Guild unites in solidarity with theatre arts organizations here in Colorado and across the country who had their National Endowment for the Arts active grants and grant offers rescinded on Friday, May 2, with little to no warning and a very short amount of time to appeal, an unprecedented action from the United States federal government.
We know that participation in the performing arts is a critical element of humanity that helps us cultivate empathy, compassion, patience, teamwork, and teaches us how to be a part of a collective and vibrant society via economic growth, health and wellness, multi-generational connections, and more.
We also know the performing arts take a tremendous amount of time and effort, with multiple people, to all come together, which includes applying for grants that fund important programs, community projects, and pay staff over a number of years.
Some actions you can take during this dire time:
–If you are an arts organization that has been affected by terminations of existing federal funding, or your grant offer was rescinded:
The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation has brought back their Art and Culture Rapid Response Grants with awards of $5,000-$20,000 in funding to support eligible arts and culture organizations experiencing a loss of revenue due to federal policy changes and related impacts. Questions and accessibility requests can be directed to the grants team at admin@bonfils-stanton.org
2025 Rapid Response Grant Application Here
-Fill out this Grassroots Grant Tracker created by Annie Dorsen (Submit Here), and Follow Along with Real Time Data Reporting on NEA Funding for arts advocacy record-keeping regarding federal funding.
-Click the links below to take action with appeals:
-Contact elected officials by email and phone. State Attorney General Phil Weiser
Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and your Colorado House Representatives need to hear from you. Tell them that your NEA funding was terminated or your application for funding was cancelled and provide the wording of your termination letters so they can take down your information and provide advocacy.
For all supporters of live performing arts and the people who create:
-Learn more from local and national journalists covering this developing situation:
American Theatre Magazine – Trump Proposes Elimination of NEA and NEH
American Theatre Magazine – NEA Abruptly Pulls Grants
Colorado Public Radio – NEA Funding Cuts
Denver Gazette – Move to Gut NEA is ‘a punch to the gut’ of Colorado Arts
–Contact your federal congressional representatives (click here) to ensure they value and fight for arts workers, arts organizations, and public funding of the arts.
–Donate to theatre organizations in Colorado who need your continual financial support.
-Last but not least: ATTEND LIVE THEATRE! Your attendance lets everyone know you support stories and the people who make those stories possible.