Arts organizations in Kentucky expect funding cuts after the Trump Administration started canceling grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Some Kentucky organizations that receive NEA money have already been notified that they have lost their funding.
Chris Cathers is the executive director of the Kentucky Arts Council. He said this could lead to more problems down the road.
“Also, we learned the White House's budget proposal has recommended eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts, it's not final, and as we know from watching the Kentucky Legislature, this is just the first step of that process.”
He said artists and cultural organizations are vital for tourism and the economy in Kentucky.
“The artists and arts and cultural organizations that we currently work with offer local arts programs, jobs, and opportunities for education, economic growth, and cultural preservation.”
Cathers said that while the White House's budget proposal is not final, organizations must remain vigilant because of all the constant changes.
He said protecting the arts in Kentucky is a bipartisan issue because so much of the state relies on its cultural heritage, which attracts many visitors.
