State legislatures across the US have continued to fund their arts and humanities agencies for fiscal year 2026, with aggregate spending totaling $649.2 million across 50 states and four territories—a 7.4% decrease from 2025 levels. While 29 states increased their arts funding, others saw significant cuts, including New Hampshire (90% reduction), Hawaii (74.9% drop), and Missouri (59.7% decline). The data comes from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), which notes an uncertain fiscal environment but highlights that overall state investment in the arts is being sustained despite federal pressures.
This matters because the Trump administration has called for defunding the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and a recent House committee markup proposed a 35% cut to the NEA and NEH. State-level funding is becoming increasingly critical as a buffer against federal reductions, especially since the NEA allocates 40% of its budget to state arts councils. The phaseout of pandemic-era federal relief further strains cultural institutions, making state appropriations a key lifeline for museums, performing arts venues, and other cultural organizations across the country.