Emergency Action Needed to Protect Arts & Culture in Michigan

Urgent action is needed by all who care about the significant role that the Arts perform in sustaining the quality of life and economic stability of our communities, which has now reached a state of Emergency this week with the passage by the Michigan House of Representatives of a 2025-26 budget that completely eliminates funding for Arts & Culture in the State of Michigan. 

This devastating proposal would decimate Michigan’s creative sector, threatening thousands of jobs, weakening local economies, and stripping communities of the programs and cultural resources they rely upon.

As of 2022, the arts and culture sector in Michigan generated $18.4 billion in economic activity annually, representing 2.95% of the state's total GDP. This data, compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, encompasses both nonprofit and commercial arts and culture enterprises.

In addition to the total revenue, the arts and culture sector significantly contributed to other economic areas:  Employment: Supported 120,714 jobs, representing 2.71% of the state's workforce. Compensation: Generated $10.4 billion in total compensation.  Tax Revenue: Contributed to a broader economic impact that generated $29.1 billion in total tax revenue for federal, state, and local governments.

Broader economic impacts beyond direct revenue include tourism from cultural travelers drawn to the state by its vibrant arts scene, job creation, and serving as n economic catalyst to stimulate business and help diversify the state’s economy.

According to The Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan, despite this imminent statewide danger, both the Senate and Governor Whitmer have put forward budgets that retain the Michigan Arts & Cultural Council’s  budget intact, which is why citizen involvement is essential at this juncture.

The Legislature hopes to pass a state budget before the September 30th deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown. Michigan House Republicans have unveiled and passed their $54.6 billion budget proposal that slashes millions of dollars from most state departments and agencies and cuts thousands of government jobs.

The government spending plan passed by a 59-45 vote Tuesday, Aug. 26. Combined with their $21.9 billion education budget, the House Republican’s proposed a $78.5 billion spending plan for 2026 that is about $6 billion less than what Senate Democrats have put forward. All House Republicans voted for the plan, and all House Democrats except for state Rep. Karen Whitsett, D-Detroit, opposed the plan

Other departments, like State Police, Health and Human Services, and Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, would see tens of millions of dollars or more slashed from their current funding levels.

What’s Happening & Why This Matters for Michigan

In Washington, D.C., the House Appropriations Committee has proposed a 35% cut to both the NEA and NEH, reducing their budgets from $207 million to $135 million each. These reductions would not only impact national grantmaking but also threaten the federal-state partnerships that fuel thousands of community-level programs.

Roughly 40% of National Endowment for the Arts  funding supports state and regional arts agencies, including the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC).

The NEH provides core funding to Michigan Humanities, which works with 120+ local partners annually.  Without federal support, these organizations could be forced to scale back or suspend grants, programs, and services that connect Michiganders through the arts, history, and shared storytelling.

House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, said the budget is the product of finding and cutting “$5 billion in waste, fraud and abuse” in government operations and redirecting those dollars to “priorities that people care about, like roads, public safety and education.”

The House budget is over $5 billion smaller than the version passed by the Senate and includes dangerous cuts—phantom jobs and the zeroing out of Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) grants.

If this budget moves forward, the impact will be catastrophic

• Thousands of jobs lost across the state

• Economic instability for communities where arts and culture drive tourism, small businesses, and local investment.

• Loss of access to programs that support education, historic preservation, creative therapies, and cultural institutions statewide.

Why This Matters Now

The House, Senate, and Governor must agree on a budget before October 1 to avoid a government shutdown. Negotiations are happening right now, and this is the  moment to act.

Take Action Today

The Cultural Advocacy Network requests every supporter of the Arts  to send a loud, clear message that cutting arts and culture is unacceptable. 

Here’s what you can do

• Contact Your Legislators (House, Senate, AND Governor Whitmer’s Office

• Call, email, and schedule meetings with your representatives.

 • Use this email template and phone script to make it easy.

• Share your story—explain how these cuts would affect your organization, your community, and Michigan’s future.

• Find your Legislators

• Governor's Office Contact: Jen Flood | State Budget Office Director

Phone: 517-335-3420.    Email: FloodJ3@michigan.gov

Spread the Word

• Forward this alert to colleagues, board members, and community partners.

• Share on social media using the hashtag #FundMIArtsAndCulture

• Be Persistent: Legislators need to hear from constituents every week until the budget is finalized.

• Keep up the pressure—arts and culture funding must be restored.

This is an emergency. If the House budget passes as written, Michigan’s creative sector will face devastation. We must stand together to ensure arts and culture.   Please take some time (maybe 20 minutes, max) today to update the letter template linked in and send to your State Senator & Representative.