More than 150 US arts organizations and over 320 artists and cultural workers have signed a public statement affirming their commitment to resisting political pressure. Organized by the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) and the Vera List Center for Art and Politics (VLC) at the New School, the statement does not explicitly name President Donald Trump or his administration's actions, but was precipitated by Trump's pressure campaigns against the Smithsonian Institution and the Kennedy Center, as well as deep cuts to the NEA, NEH, and IMLS. Signatories include institutions from both Democratic- and Republican-controlled states, such as the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts in New York and Diverseworks in Houston, Texas.
The statement, titled "Cultural Freedom Demands Collective Courage: A Nation-Wide Statement of Values and Principles for the Field of Arts and Culture," represents a rare instance of coordinated resistance to the Trump administration's efforts to influence cultural programming and funding. It matters because it signals a unified front from the cultural sector against what organizers describe as increasing censorship, retaliatory rhetoric, and ideological pressure, emphasizing that programmatic autonomy is essential to preserving institutional integrity and democracy. The initiative comes as Trump has intensified efforts to reshape cultural organizations in Washington, DC, and beyond.