New Mexico Arts Grants Face Declinations as Artists Voice Concerns Over Federal Anti-Discrimination Requirements
Santa Fe, NM - Several New Mexico arts organizations are declining federal-state grant funding, citing concerns that new requirements related to federal anti-discrimination laws could stifle artistic expression and represent a form of censorship. The issue is unfolding as a national movement of artists rallies against perceived federal overreach into artistic content.
New Mexico Arts, a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, has confirmed that three organizations have so far turned down grant offers, with additional organizations requesting extensions to consider their options. The grants agreement, according to New Mexico Arts Executive Director Michelle Laflamme-Childs, is “materially the same as prior years,” but includes an explicit reminder of compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws.
“Nothing in NM Arts’ funding notice or final grant agreement prohibits organizations from continuing to run DEI programs or initiatives provided that those programs or initiatives do not violate federal anti-discrimination laws,” Laflamme-Childs stated. She emphasized the agency’s desire to maintain relationships with arts organizations, assuring them they are “welcome to apply for funding again” in the future.”We appreciate the position some nonprofits find themselves in and respect that each organization needs to make the decision that’s best for them when it comes to accepting public funding at this time,” she added.
The concerns stem from a broader national trend, with over 1,000 artists nationwide signing onto a “national statement of solidarity” called Collective Courage. The movement aims to allow artists to “maintain autonomy over programming choices, curatorial decisions, and artistic content.”
This pushback echoes previous actions taken during the Trump Administration, including directives to review and potentially remove “divisive, race-centered ideology” from Smithsonian museums, as reported by the Associated Press. More recently, reports indicate the Trump Administration requested the National Parks Service remove a portrait of a formerly enslaved man, according to the New York Times.
Rose Eason, Executive Director of an unnamed organization and speaking to Source NM, believes the current situation is a continuation of this pattern. “If they’re taking images and texts down about slavery, I think that brings it into focus, what this is really about,” Eason said. “It’s so vital to push back against state-controlled art and media, if we believe in democracy.”
Eason clarified that she does not attribute blame to New Mexico Arts,stating,”I don’t want to come across in any way pointing the finger at New Mexico Arts,as it’s a problem that stems from the federal government and is impacting arts for the entire country.”
She further emphasized the importance of artistic freedom, stating, “It is indeed essential that we do not like to draw a hard line at protecting freedom of expression…The highest and best kind of purpose of the arts is to foster dialog and share ideas and cultivate empathy in our communities, and you can’t really advance the arts without standing up for freedom of expression and against censorship.”
(this story originally published online at sourcenm.com and was reprinted with permission)
