From the desks of our President and Board Chair:

Dear Friends and Supporters,
At Arts for Learning, we believe in the power of the arts to inspire, educate, and transform lives, particularly for young people. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the thousands of artists, educators, and organizations across the country who work tirelessly to strengthen our communities through creativity, cultural connection, and access to the arts.

For decades, the NEA has played a critical role in expanding opportunities for arts education and participation, particularly in under-resourced schools and communities. It has helped to ensure that every child, regardless of zip code, has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive through the arts.

The NEA has been a key partner to Arts for Learning in furthering statewide student access initiatives, like our “Rural Access for All” grants. They also support our Principal Fellowship program, which creates meaningful opportunities for Maryland principals to develop action plans that utilize the arts for school-wide improvements.

But today, that legacy is uncertain.

On Friday, the federal government announced an immediate revocation of grant dollars and dramatic cuts to federal funding that support vital artistic programs. Additionally, the proposed federal budget for 2026 eliminates the NEA entirely. These cuts will jeopardize the future of countless initiatives in our community and across our nation, including our own. Our young people will be most impacted by these decisions.

Your voice matters now more than ever. The national arts advocacy group Americans for the Arts is asking folks to:

• Contact your elected officials
• Complete a national survey (organizations + grantees)
• Share your story

Visit Americans For The Arts

We believe that every child deserves access to the life-changing power of the arts. With your help, we can ensure they continue to have that chance—this summer and for generations to come.

With gratitude and resolve,
Stacie Evans, President and CEO, Arts for Learning Maryland and Sheelagh Allston, Board Chair, Arts for Learning Maryland