On May 12, arts leaders and politicians convened at the newly established headquarters of All Classical Radio in Portland’s KOIN Tower as a poignant expression of solidarity amid a crisis facing the local arts community.
Just ten days earlier, news broke that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) had rescinded previously promised grants to 27 arts organizations across Oregon. The abrupt withdrawal of funding, totaling approximately $590,000, was reportedly influenced by the Department of Government Efficiency under entrepreneur Elon Musk.
The emotional and financial impact of this decision has resonated deeply within the artistic community, sparking outrage and frustration. U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) was particularly vocal during the gathering, emphasizing the importance of arts and culture in America.
“I’m here to say that Donald Trump and the unelected billionaire Elon Musk do not understand the value of arts and culture,” Bonamici declared from the lectern.
“They are trying to censor opinions, and they do not comprehend the separation of powers our Founding Fathers embedded in the Constitution.”
Bonamici reiterated her commitment to standing up for Oregon’s arts community against these perceived attacks.
Sankar Raman, founder and president of The Immigrant Story, shared his personal experiences regarding the funding loss. His organization was informed of the termination of a $10,000 NEA grant just after 5 PM on May 2—“that’s three minutes into my happy hour,” he quipped.
The NEA cited a new directive from President Trump, encouraging support for projects that reflect the nation’s artistic heritage, which inadvertently excluded The Immigrant Story.
“Apparently, with a name like The Immigrant Story, we don’t fit that version of American heritage,” remarked Raman.
He voiced concern about the implications of the funding cuts, questioning whether their voices are indeed part of the American conversation.
Following the funding cuts, Portland’s arts organizations, which comprise two-thirds of the state’s creative sector, face a crisis. Many are strategizing on how to cope with the loss.
My Voice Music (MVM), one of the first organizations to be affected, witnessed a significant funding loss of $47,000, comprised of awards set for both 2024 and 2023.
MVM is dedicated to providing music education and mentorship to youth aged 9–24, and most of its students are from foster care backgrounds, often receiving scholarships to participate in programs.
Executive director Amy Sabin noted that while they have appealed the NEA’s decision, they have yet to hear back.
“There absolutely will be an impact if we can’t figure out how to make up for this loss,” Sabin stated, emphasizing the difficulties faced by small arts organizations.
Orchestra Nova Northwest was another organization affected, losing a $10,000 grant intended to support a peace concert series. Executive director Kevin Irving shared his frustrations about the funding loss, stating that while it represents a small portion of their budget, every penny is crucial.
“This has had an extremely detrimental effect on our orchestra,” Irving lamented.
All Classical Radio, in addition to facing funding cuts, pledged to utilize their platform to amplify the voices of other impacted arts organizations. They had been set to receive $20,000 to support musicians’ use of their resources.
“Using our media arts and production spaces, we aim to connect and uplift arts organizations,” stated All Classical Radio in a press release.
Though The Immigrant Story faced a setback with the loss of NEA funding covering 21% of its event costs, they pressed on with their plans for the May 24 event, I Am an American Live, relying on donations.
Milagro Theatre, which had secured $15,000 for its production of a play themed around land rights, also managed to replace the lost funding thanks to their supportive donor community.
Dañel Malán-González, the executive director, expressed gratitude, saying, “We will be OK, thanks to a community that supports Latino arts and culture.”
Portland Playhouse was proactive in addressing their loss of $25,000 shortly before opening their production of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.
They launched a GoFundMe campaign aiming to gather more than half a million dollars for all affected cultural institutions across Oregon.
Co-founder Brian Weaver passionately stated, “We want to take the NEA and the government back. It belongs to us, not Trump.”
Similarly, organizers from the Risk/Reward festival, dedicated to new and experimental theater, are also seeking ways to move forward despite the cuts.
Their $10,000 grant, which accounted for a significant portion of their budget, was also revoked, compelling them to weigh future strategies for dealing with similar situations.
Managing director Liam Kaas-Lentz commented, “This is obviously not a one-year problem. We want to create a ‘buffer against tyranny’ budget that helps pad the festival in the future.”
As the Oregon arts community navigates this challenging period, its leaders maintain a steadfast commitment to fight for funding and the right to express their creative voices.
image source from：https://www.wweek.com/arts/2025/05/27/heres-how-some-of-portlands-arts-organizations-are-fighting-back-after-losing-funds-from-the-national-endowment-for-the-arts/
