Hundreds of arts groups nationwide received emails last week informing them their grants would be terminated or withdrawn. The emails came hours after President Donald Trump proposed eliminating the NEA.
According to The Salt Lake Tribune, the NEA’s emails said grants that don’t align with Trump’s policies were ending. Instead, grants will go to projects that prioritize skilled trade jobs; elevate historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions; support Tribal communities, the military and veterans; celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, and more.
Many Utah art project grants were rescinded, including one that provides free ballet performances for children with autism and another that teaches teens to produce, direct and shoot their own short films.
In January, NEA announced it had awarded the Arts Council of Park City and Summit County’s 2025 Latino Arts Festival a $35,000 grant.
Arts council Executive Director Jocelyn Scudder said the organization hasn’t heard anything from NEA about the funding so far. But at the same time, the festival’s grant was never finalized, and Scudder expects it will be revoked down the line.
The arts council is working to secure more financial support and told the Tribune it will host the June 13-15 festival with or without NEA funds.
The free festival draws about 10,000 people each year and features live music and performances, artists and food.
Arts council Executive Director Jocelyn Scudder said the festival — and art in general — illustrates the human experience.
“It provides an opportunity for you to talk to someone that has kind of visually manifested an idea into a creative object, and that bridges connections, it fosters understanding, it provides connection points and dialog and it unifies our community,” she said on KPCW’s “The Mountain Life” May 7.
Scudder said the arts have seen a lot of funding cuts recently, especially with the NEA grant withdrawals. She said the arts council has been working with its partners on a plan to keep art alive in the community for years, but it’s more important now than ever.
The plan was originally published in 2018 and is now being updated to narrow in on three priorities.
“Some of the things that are percolating are the need for cultural facilities. That has not gone away, and that was a big talking point back in 2018,” Scudder said. “The need for the arts in the everyday, making sure that it's woven consistently in the way of life as residents, easily accessible programming, etc. And also prioritizing funding.”
The plan, Scudder said, is meant to unify the cultural sector. She said the over 20 arts organizations in the area, including Park City Film, the Kimball Arts Center and Mountain Town Music, provide art in unique ways and working together makes them stronger.
