ArtWorks is sounding the alarm after the abrupt loss of the $100,000 “Our Town” grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), a critical investment that was set to support youth job creation and public art in Cincinnati’s Avondale neighborhood. This decision is part of a larger trend by the federal government pulling back on its previously awarded grants to invest in communities. NEA’s Our Town creative placemaking grant focused on integrating arts, culture, and design into local efforts to strengthen communities over the long-term. ArtWorks’ project was selected from a highly competitive pool and secured funding to invest in Hamilton County for workforce development, job creation, community engagement, and the creation of public art project for a gateway to the CROWN Trail, a safe biking and pedestrian 34-mile multi-use trail loop in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio.
“We are concerned not only for the dismantling of our local project but the larger effort to eliminate the NEA from next year’s federal budget. Defunding the arts has devastating consequences for young people, working artists, and the vitality of communities across the country.” Says Colleen Houston, CEO & Artistic Director of ArtWorks. “This isn’t just a Cincinnati story—it’s a national crisis for the creative economy. When the arts are defunded, jobs are lost. Both our economy and quality of life suffer.”
“We are deeply disappointed to learn that the NEA grant for public art on The CROWN has been rescinded. This grant would have made a significant impact in celebrating Avondale’s community identity along the Wasson Way. Public art means more than just placemaking; public art has a significant impact on our local economy and the jobs pipeline for urban youth to enter the creative workforce.” Says Wade Johnston, AICP, Executive Director of Tri-State Trails.
ArtWorks is not alone. Organizations across the nation are reporting sudden terminations of previously awarded NEA grants, as part of shifting priorities under the current Presidential Administration. Additionally, the proposed federal budget for Fiscal Year 2026 seeks to eliminate the NEA entirely—alongside the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Call to Action
ArtWorks is actively appealing the NEA decision and mobilizing community and political support. The organization urges the public to contact their U.S. representatives (americansthearts.quorum.us/campaign/121806) by Friday, May 9 and urge them to sign on to the FY2026 NEA support letter in Congress. The future of arts funding—and jobs for thousands —depends on it.
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ArtWorks
2429 Gilbert Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45206
For your convenience, Art Opportunities Inc’s (dba ArtWorks) Tax ID is 31-1665900.
