by Dr. Lance Nielsen
In America today, a new kind of culture war is being waged, one not of ideas or identity, but one aimed squarely at the institutions that preserve our stories, spark creativity, and educate our future. It is a war on culture. At stake are the very pillars of our civic and cultural life: the arts, the humanities, public education, and the public spaces that bind communities together.
A Target on the Arts and Humanities
Over the past several months, we’ve witnessed unprecedented threats to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), two agencies established through bipartisan legislation in 1965 to ensure all Americans have access to cultural and intellectual enrichment. These agencies fund everything from local theater productions to documentary filmmaking, museum exhibitions to community-based art projects. Yet, in today’s political climate, they’ve become scapegoats in a larger campaign to silence complex narratives and dismantle public support for creativity and critical thinking.
Funding cuts, or complete eliminations, are not just symbolic. They mean fewer educational programs for underserved youth, fewer public lectures and exhibits, and the loss of jobs in communities that rely on cultural tourism and creative economies. Defunding these programs doesn’t just shrink the budget; it shrinks the soul of our society.
Undermining Public Media, Libraries, and Museums
Public broadcasting has been a trusted source of balanced journalism, children’s programming, and cultural storytelling. Public Media, including NPR and PBS, stands to lose 16% of its operation budget due to the recent rescissions package that was recently passed by Congress. OpenSky Policy Institute shared the following on how Nebraska Public Media plays a vital role in keeping Nebraskans informed and engaged. “For those closely following the Nebraska Legislature, it offers gavel-to-gavel coverage of floor debates and committee hearings, ensuring the public can actively participate as members of the ‘Second House.’ Beyond government transparency, the network serves as a critical early warning system during severe weather, especially crucial in rural communities, by delivering timely alerts and life-saving updates. Nebraska Public Media also highlights local life by broadcasting high school sports, judicial proceedings, and community announcements. Cuts to its funding could significantly undermine public safety, reduce access to civic information, and weaken the state’s ability to respond to both emergencies and democratic needs.”
The same goes for libraries and museums, often the first institutions to bring the arts, history, and technology to small towns and urban neighborhoods alike. These spaces don’t just hold books or artifacts, they hold communities together. Defunding them doesn’t just “trim waste”, it cuts off access to knowledge, culture, and safe spaces for learning.
Education Under Siege
No culture war would be complete without an assault on public education. Under the guise of “efficiency” or ideological agendas, funding for public schools is being slashed, and curriculum decisions are being politicized. Efforts to restrict what can be taught in classrooms, especially around history, literature, and the arts, threaten to leave an entire generation with a narrowed view of the world.
On July 1, an announcement was made that education funding to the states was being withheld. We are urging Congress to assert its constitutional authority and insist that the Administration release nearly $7 billion in enacted education funding that it is withholding from states. If these cuts stand, many students will lose out on vital resources for their education.
When we reduce education to a battleground, we forget its purpose in nurturing thinkers, creators, and citizens. Students should be exposed to multiple perspectives, including those that challenge, provoke, and inspire. They deserve access to music, dance, theater, and art because these are not “extras.” They are essential.
The Bigger Picture
This new culture war is not about fiscal responsibility. It’s about control of the narrative, and an attempt to silence the plurality of voices that make up the American story. The institutions under fire, the NEA, NEH, PBS, local libraries, and public schools, exist precisely to ensure that everyone, regardless of zip code or income, has a chance to learn, create, and be heard.
To lose them is to lose access, opportunity, and collective memory. It is to forget who we are and who we aspire to be.
What You Can Do
Now more than ever, we must raise our voices in defense of the arts, the humanities, public media, museums, libraries, and education. It may feel like our elected officials are not listening, but we must continue to contact our elected officials. Be present and be consistent! Nebraskans for the Arts provides resources for advocates on our Arts Action Center. Consider joining us by becoming a member of Nebraskans for the Arts. We also need everyone to go out and support local arts and cultural organizations. Talk to your neighbors, friends and family encouraging them to be involved as well. And above all, reject the idea that the arts, education, and public knowledge are luxuries. They are rights AND they are worth fighting for.
Because when we fight for the arts and education, we’re not just fighting for programs. We’re fighting for our story, our democracy, and our future.
