DON’T DRAIN THE SWAMP
As Washington continues to defund the arts, you might find yourself asking: Why not? Last year, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) distributed nearly $36.9 million through 1,474 grants across the country. Meanwhile, funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) was severely slashed in an effort to dismantle the agency altogether.
These cuts may seem negligible, just 0.0046% of the federal budget, but the stakes are high. Museums alone contribute over $50 billion annually to the U.S. economy. Under the previous administration, sweeping proposals were aimed at eliminating the NEA, NEH, and IMLS entirely. As a result, thousands of grants that supported research, theaters, arts and science education, museums, artists, conservation efforts, community programs, and jobs have vanished. So, who cares?
I do.
I spent more than twenty-five years running museums, and I’ve seen firsthand how the arts enrich lives and communities. As the American Alliance of Museums puts it:
“Museums are vital community anchors serving all Americans. Museums are not only centers for education and inspiration but also economic engines creating jobs, driving tourism, and strengthening local economies.”
But beyond the economics, the arts are essential to our humanity. They foster creativity, empathy, and beauty. They bring people together, enhance our mental well-being, and create career opportunities for millions. In fact, the nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $1.1 trillion industry that supports 5.2 million jobs-4.3% of the U.S. economy.
Arts organizations drive local business revenue, unify neighborhoods, and offer a powerful antidote to stress and isolation. Students who participate in the arts earn higher GPAs and standardized test scores, and they receive a more well-rounded education.
Creativity and innovation-skills highly sought after in today’s workforce-are nurtured through the arts. According to Americans for the Arts, a University of Pennsylvania study found that cities with a high concentration of arts organizations experience greater civic engagement, stronger social cohesion, better child welfare, and lower poverty rates. Healthcare providers increasingly recognize the healing power of the arts in patient care.
Personally, I’ve found solace in painting. I began during one of the most stressful periods of my career-relocating the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Painting offered a meditative escape and helped me stay clear-headed and focused as a leader.
Working in museums has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I’ve watched children explore alongside their parents, couples share inspiration on a date, and seniors enrich their twilight years with curiosity and connection. These moments are not luxuries. They are vital to a meaningful life. The arts are not a frill. They are a foundation for a vibrant, resilient, and compassionate society.
Contact your congressional delegation to see that arts and humanities remain funded.
I look forward to your comments.
Art is always for sale. Cypress Tree is an acrylic on canvas framed painting, 30″ by 24″ It can be purchased online at https://www.eichingerfineart.com/workszoom/4119523/dont-drain-the-swamp-cypress-tree#/
For further information, contact me at marilynne@eichingerfineart.com
References:
arts.gov website,( 2025_National Endowment for the Arts Supports the Arts with Nearly $36.8 Million in Funding Nationwide. Retrieved from https://www.arts.gov/news/press-releases/2025/national-endowment-arts-supports-arts-nearly-368-million-funding-nationwide
Art News website (2025) trump Administration Threatens Extreme Cuts to the National Endowment for the arts and the Humanities. Retrieved from https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/trump-administration-threatens-extreme-cuts-to-the-national-endowment-for-the-humanities-1234737588/
Art website (2025) What trumps dismantling of the institute of museum & library services means for US art. Retrieved from https://www.designboom.com/art/donald-trump-dismantling-institute-museum-library-services-us-art-culture-03-20-2025/
Veltman, C.(2025) Sweeping suits hit NEA after Trump administration call to eliminate the agency.NPR Website. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2025/05/03/nx-s1-5385888/sweeping-cuts-hit-nea-after-trump-administration-calls-to-eliminate-the-agency
Website (2-25) Top 10 Reasons to support the Arts. Americans for the Arts. Retrieved from https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-topic/advancing-arts-locally/top-10-reasons-to-support-the-arts
_____________________________________________________________________________A surprising behind-the-scenes look at the trials faced by people who started museums and the professionals who keep them going. Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and at Powell’s Books.
