When I think about the trajectory of my life, it’s hard to imagine where I’d be without the arts. Dance wasn’t just a childhood hobby, it was my safe space, my outlet, and ultimately, the reason I received a college scholarship. That opportunity opened doors I never imagined, and now, as a dance educator and arts advocate, I see every day how the arts change lives, not just artistically, but economically and socially, too.
That’s why the recent news about the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) cutting grants, rescinding funds from organizations, and the alarming 2026 proposal to eliminate the NEA altogether hits especially hard. The arts are not a luxury they are a necessity. And beyond their cultural value, they are a critical part of our local and national economies.
A Personal Investment in the Arts
My career in the arts is rooted in real-life experiences. I’ve worked as a dance teacher in both public schools and private studios. I’ve taught and worked in many different settings, and I’ve seen how exposure to the arts transforms the lives. These kids aren’t just learning choreography, they’re building confidence, discipline, and a sense of belonging. For some, it’s the first time anyone’s told them they matter.
You can read more about why this matters in March is Dance in Schools Month: Why We Need #DanceEducationForAll, which highlights the importance of arts education in our classrooms and communities.
What the NEA Cuts Mean
The NEA has historically provided essential funding for theaters, dance companies, libraries, and publishing houses. According to recent reports, the agency has not only rescinded previously approved grants but also pressured staff to resign amidst growing uncertainty. These changes follow years of political pushback, including budget proposals from the Trump administration to eliminate the NEA and now a 2026 plan that threatens its very existence.
This kind of instability doesn’t just hurt big institutions. It devastates small organizations that rely on every dollar to continue their work. The impact ripples out; cancelled programming, lost jobs, closed venues, and entire communities left without access to the arts. For more on this developing issue, NPR’s coverage on the NEA’s grant cuts breaks down what these cuts look like nationwide.
Recent developments reported by Hyperallergic reveal just how widespread and sudden the impact of NEA cuts has been. Theater director Annie Dorsen is actively compiling a list of canceled grants via an online survey. Millions in grants were rescinded without warning, leaving many arts organizations scrambling to fill the gap. These cancellations didn’t just affect programming—they disrupted entire budgets, partnerships, and community expectations. For smaller nonprofits that rely heavily on these grants to serve underrepresented communities, this kind of instability can be a breaking point.
The Local Impact in Georgia
Here in Georgia, and especially in Atlanta and Fulton County these cuts are personal. NEA funding often matches grants from the Georgia Council for the Arts, which fuels everything from arts festivals to after-school programs. Without that support, many organizations simply won’t survive.
For many institutions, NEA grants have helped support our youth programs in neighborhoods that otherwise lack access to arts education. They have provided scholarships supported by public arts funding have allowed students to study dance who never could have afforded it otherwise.
Arts funding doesn’t just provide access it drives the local economy. Events supported by the arts create jobs, attract tourism, and drive traffic to nearby small businesses. Teaching artists, costume designers, set builders, musicians all contribute to a growing, sustainable workforce.
What We Stand to Lose
The proposed elimination of the NEA in 2026 would be catastrophic. Thousands of organizations could lose core funding. Public school programs would disappear. The next generation of dancers, painters, poets, and musicians might never find their creative voice.
As I’ve shared in Why Arts Funding Matters: Advocating for the Future of the Arts, arts education isn’t just about entertainment. It’s about giving students a reason to engage, to create, to dream. When schools lose funding, it’s the arts that go first. And that is a loss we cannot afford.
Why the Arts Are a Public Good
Beyond the numbers, the arts serve a deeper purpose. They teach empathy, foster community, and provide a healthy outlet for emotion. They help students perform better in school and build life skills like critical thinking, perseverance, and collaboration.
Programs like the ones I’ve taught in give young people tools they’ll carry for a lifetime. They’re about more than movement—they’re about growth. That’s why I believe The Benefits of a Dance Education should be available to every student, not just those who can afford private lessons.
If we want a thriving economy, a connected community, and future leaders who can think creatively and act compassionately, we must continue to invest in the arts.
What You Can Do Right Now
It’s easy to feel helpless when you hear about national budget cuts, but your voice matters. Here are four concrete ways to make a difference:
- Contact Your Elected Officials
Call, write, or email your state and federal representatives. Let them know you support continued funding for the NEA and the Georgia Council for the Arts. - Support Local Arts Programs
Donate to local organizations. Attend performances and exhibitions. Share their work on social media. Show up for the arts in your community. - Educate Others
Many people don’t realize how much the arts impact their daily lives. Talk to your neighbors, your coworkers, your school board. Share articles and personal stories. - Vote with the Arts in Mind
Stay informed about where candidates stand on arts and education. Make arts funding a priority issue when casting your ballot.
In Closing
The fight for arts funding isn’t just about budgets, it’s about belief. Belief in the power of creativity to heal, connect, and inspire. Belief that every child deserves the chance to discover their voice. Belief that a stronger, more vibrant future begins with an investment in culture.
I’m living proof that the arts can change a life. I see it in the faces of my students every day. Let’s make sure the next generation has the same opportunities.
Let’s protect what matters.
Happy Dancing!
Taylor B
