Thoughts on Thinking Differently: A Call to Protect Creativity, Community, and Opportunity

I’m writing to you today to bring attention to a critical issue that will affect us all: The proposed elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts by the current administration in Washington.

Eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts may look like a budget cut on paper, but the consequences reach far deeper. Arts funding isn’t just about paintings or performances — it supports jobs, strengthens education, fuels innovation, and helps build vibrant, connected communities.

In towns and cities across the country, NEA dollars flow into state agencies like The Ohio Arts Council, which further fund local organizations like ArtsInStark here in Stark County. ArtsInStark supports and funds an incredibly wide range of arts groups and initiatives right down the street from all of us, including festivals, events, museums, theaters, childhood education, mental health, public art, and much more. All of which drive tourism, fill restaurants, support small businesses, inspire and educate our children, make us all happier and healthier, and create a real and tangible economic impact.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the arts contribute over $1 trillion to the national economy annually and support more than 4 million jobs. Cutting funding at the top cascades directly down to us in our local communities, forcing organizations to shrink or even shut down entirely.

America’s greatest breakthroughs have come from creative minds who were inspired and taught to think differently.

The elimination of the arts in our communities impacts every one of us and ultimately the long-term success of our nation as a whole. The arts teach us to imagine, to challenge norms, and to collaborate — traits that power our tech companies, entrepreneurs, and future leaders. Removing federal arts support doesn’t just silence artists. It silences opportunity, stifles innovation, and weakens our communities.

Above all, please know that the arts are essential for our children at so many levels. Music, drama, and visual arts improve cognitive skills, boost academic performance, create connections, reduce stress and build emotional intelligence. Beyond NEA funding, the current administration has further recommended cutting funding for organizations like PBS who support educational programming (Sesame Street, etc.) and promote literacy, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), social-emotional development, and cultural awareness.

I’m asking for 5 minutes of your time.

I urge you to take a tangible step today and contact our state representatives at the federal level and in your local district. If you live in my local area and you’d like a super easy way to do this in under a few minutes, I’ve attached a template for a letter that you can send to our state Senator in District 29 Jane M. Timken. We are urging her to not only support and maintain funding for the arts in Ohio, but to actually increase the budget at the state level. The deadline to have your voice heard is May 12th.

Thanks for your time.

Contact information, template, and more information is attached below.

DOWNLOAD ASSETS

Contact your representatives:

Ohio State Senators

Ohio State Representatives

Jane M. Timken

Ohio Senate District 29

Senate Building

1 Capitol Square

First Floor, #134

Phone: (614) 466-0626