A Call to Collective Action—We Must Act Now

This essay is part of a new series, From New England to the Nation, in which NEFA’s Executive Director, Harold Steward, discusses the role of the arts in our present political moment. Read the first essay on Medium. 

The current administration's most recent actions, including stripping equity initiatives from federal arts programs, an executive order to “eliminate” the agency that funds museums and libraries, and disbanding arts programs dedicated to communities that already experience limited or inadequate access to essential resources and services—underscore the crucial role of social impact in arts and culture. This wasn't merely a setback; it was a stark indicator of positive progress being threatened. 

While finalizing this statement, we’ve been bombarded with additional actions—among them attempting to rewrite American history by eliminating "divisive race-centered ideology" from Smithsonian museums, placing the entire Institute of Museum and Library Services staff on administrative leave, and laying off the Kennedy Center’s Social Impact employees. Most recently, DOGE has put dozens of staff at the National Endowment for the Humanities on administrative leave and has terminated over 1,200 grants throughout the country, including operating support to humanities councils in each state, Washington, DC, and the US territories. This strategy of “flooding the zone” with seemingly nonstop changes and initiatives is effective in many ways. It can leave us disoriented and unsure of where to direct our resources and attention.

However, at NEFA, we see these actions as an affirmation that our work is necessary and that we must be decisive in our response. The administration's specific targeting of equity initiatives within arts programs is not a random act. The very fact that powerful forces are actively undermining equity initiatives is a testament to the significance of the work. These initiatives, programs, and their sources of federal support being targeted indicates they were achieving results, making an impact that threatened the status quo. If these entities didn't matter and weren't producing tangible results in terms of equity, they wouldn't have been a priority for attack.

Yes, finally, in the arts, we are making strides toward positive societal change by creating more inclusive, diverse, and representative arts ecosystems. Yet, we have only scratched the surface of our true potential, and now so many achievements stand to be threatened.

Our recent statement reaffirming our commitment to equity has now transformed into a firm, unwavering position.

The opportunity to reimagine NEFA's work in general and, through the lens of social impact, is both fundamental and strategic. Fundamentally, it compels us to honor our history, critically examine our practices, and ensure they align with social impact goals.  It clarifies our purpose, strengthens our identity, and deepens our commitment to equity, diversity, intersectionality, access, and our strides toward justice. Strategically, it allows us to leverage our expertise to address evolving societal challenges and further our organization's vision.

The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) will celebrate its 50th anniversary early next year. And while NEFA’s 50th anniversary marks a milestone and an opportunity for profound reflection and strategic repositioning, our commitment to socially engaged arts has been unwavering since our founding in 1976 and must be unwavering now.

1976 mirrored today's politically charged atmosphere. The nation grappled with Watergate, the Vietnam War, and nascent cultural clashes that laid the groundwork for today’s political polarization. From that tumultuous context, NEFA emerged with a dedication to uplifting artists and communities, and amid economic uncertainty and political upheaval, we now explicitly and proudly embrace our identity as a social impact organization. This is not a mere rebranding exercise; it reflects a fundamental understanding of our work's power and responsibility. As Alyce Lee, a valued advisor and donor, notes, "I have seen the incredible impact of NEFA’s work firsthand... uplifting culture through a period of seismic change."

Our decision to use this language is not in response to the current administration, but it certainly is a timely change. Arts are a civic right, and organizations like NEFA play a crucial role in protecting this right. As Marcus Collins states in his book For the Culture, “No lever influences people more consistently than culture,” and as an organization that nourishes art and culture, we recognize our huge level of influence. Naming ourselves as a social impact organization both describes and, crucially, holds us accountable for the weight of this work—artistically, socially, politically, and economically.  

In my recent essay “From New England to the Nation,” I encouraged NEFA’s community to lean on the liberatory and healing power of art during these chaotic times. Now, I address my fellow arts service organizations and funders: join NEFA and affirm your work as a form of social impact.  Together in this pursuit, we can move ahead with resolve in the face of precarious funding sources, fractured trust, and political unrest.

NEFA's evolution as a social impact organization demands more than a simple name change; it requires a sharpening of our focus, a redoubling of our resolve, and a powerful amplification of our collective voice. 

The government's attacks on equity initiatives—stripping funding, disbanding vital programs, and suppressing language—demand an immediate and decisive response. We cannot afford a moment of reflection; we must act now. We must stand firmly against these attacks, defending the fundamental right of access to the arts for all.

This is a call to action, a clarion call to every arts service organization and funder: Join NEFA in unequivocally affirming your work as social impact. Let us leverage our collective resources, expertise, and influence to build a more equitable, just, and vibrant arts ecosystem—not only in New England but across the nation. The stakes are impossibly high, but the potential for transformative change remains immense. Together, we will ensure the arts not only survive but thrive as a powerful catalyst for social justice and lasting positive transformation.

To achieve this, we must:

• Immediately strategize: Develop concrete, measurable social impact goals. Prioritize programs proven to increase equity and access. Demand increased transparency and accountability from funders.
• Aggressively collect and leverage data: Track program effectiveness rigorously. Employ data to advocate for increased funding. Use evidence to counter misinformation and demonstrate impact.
• Create bold programs: Invest in initiatives specifically designed to address systemic inequities. Prioritize programs and partnerships that directly benefit marginalized communities. Champion culturally relevant arts practices.
• Lead the advocacy charge: Engage policymakers at all levels, demanding policies that prioritize equity and access. Challenge policies that undermine these values. Build broad coalitions to amplify our collective influence.
• Fight for financial stability: Diversify funding streams. Advocate relentlessly for increased public funding. Cultivate relationships with aligned funders. Demonstrate the undeniable return on investment that the arts offer.
• Transform our organizations: Build inclusive workplace cultures that reflect the diversity of our communities. Invest in diversity, equity, intersectionality, and access training for staff and boards. Actively recruit and retain diverse talent.
• Unite and amplify our voices: Collaborate intensely with other organizations. Launch coordinated, impactful public awareness campaigns. Share research and best practices. Build a compelling narrative showcasing the arts' power for change.
• Develop rapid response strategies: Create immediate plans to counter policy threats. Assemble legal support. Coordinate swift, forceful responses to attacks on equity.

This is not business as usual. The attacks on equity initiatives demonstrate the power of our work.  The time for incremental change is over. We must act decisively, collaboratively, and with unwavering resolve to build a future where the arts flourish as a force for true and lasting social justice. This is not a moment for contemplation—it is a mandate for action.