Dear Dance Community:

We are heartbroken by the termination of National Endowment for the Arts grants and staffing cuts beginning this past weekend. While not unexpected, this disinvestment is indicative of a deeply troubling pattern of attacks on our arts and culture communities, especially those led by and serving BIPOC, disabled, immigrant, and LGBTQIA+ folks.

These cancellations, along with the President’s FY2026 budget proposal to eliminate the NEA and other federal cultural agencies, send a chilling message. We know that many are feeling confused, overwhelmed and even helpless in the wake of these changes. You are not alone.

While this moment is heavy, there are things we can do right now to respond and resist. Many arts organizations have already begun the important work of circulating resources, and we want to ensure that Our New York City Dance is equipped with what you need. Here are some actions you can take immediately and in the days to come:

If you had a grant terminated or withdrawn

1. Appeal the decision and submit final payment requests immediately. If your organization has received a termination or withdrawal notice from the NEA, it contains instructions on how to appeal as well as information on submitting final payment requests. Appeals are due as early as Friday, May 9, 2025 and payment requests as early as June 30, 2025. We urge every recipient of these notices to appeal, regardless of your confidence in the result. Here are some resources to support you in the appeal process:

• A checklist from the National Council of Nonprofits outlining what to consider when your federal contract or grant is terminated
• Appeal letter templates by the Film Festival Alliance
• Arts and health case-making resources compiled by U.S. Regional Arts Organizations
• Americans for the Arts’ free webinar for support (recording from Wednesday May 7, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. ET)

2. Share the impact on your organization with the field using these two surveys.

• Complete Dance/USA’s survey by May 9. This will be used to underscore the impact on the dance field. 
• Complete Americans for the Arts’ survey by May 16. This will inform an arts sector-wide response

For everyone

1. Call Congress to demand they support the NEA. We want grants restored and NEA employees rehired now; full support for the NEA in next year’s budget; and greater transparency on what grants were revoked and why.
2. Email Congress in support of the NEA.

Please know that Dance/NYC remains in unwavering solidarity with you. We are committed to fighting for a just, vibrant future for dance in NYC and beyond, and to defending our field, our stories, and our right to move freely.