California Humanities face federal funding cuts impacting culture and arts programs

The Joint Hearing of the California State Senate's Joint Committee on the Arts and the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee convened on May 14, 2025, to address critical issues facing California's cultural sector. The meeting featured key testimonies from leaders in the arts and humanities, including Rick Noguchi, Executive Director of California Humanities, Greg Lucas, California State Librarian, and Daniel Bridal, Executive Director of the California Arts Council.

Rick Noguchi opened the discussion by emphasizing the vital role of the humanities in understanding the human experience and fostering cultural identity. He expressed concern over recent funding cuts from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which he stated would significantly impact California's cultural landscape. Noguchi highlighted that California Humanities has been a crucial partner in bringing federal funds to the state for over 50 years, supporting numerous nonprofit organizations across diverse communities.

He reported that the NEH has redirected its funding priorities, resulting in an immediate loss of approximately $650,000 in grants for 12 nonprofit grantees in California. This funding cut, he argued, threatens the survival of many small cultural organizations that rely on these grants to operate. For the fiscal year 2025, he noted that nearly $970,000 in grants would not be awarded, with an additional $2 million at risk for fiscal year 2026.

Noguchi urged the committee to consider how California can protect and advance its cultural institutions, suggesting the need for state investments and potential ballot measures to ensure ongoing support for the arts and humanities. He stressed that the cultural sector is not only essential for economic reasons but also for maintaining the diversity and democratic values that define California.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for state-level action to address the challenges facing California's cultural institutions, as leaders called for a commitment to safeguarding the state's rich cultural heritage. The discussions set the stage for potential legislative initiatives aimed at securing funding and support for the arts and humanities in California.