Trump has again disbanded the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH). He did this during his first administration, and it was reinstated under Biden. This committee was introduced by Ronald Reagan in 1982. It worked with the White House, National Endowment for the Arts, the Humanities, Museums and Library Sciences and others. It had a positive impact in advising economic development public health, education and climate change among other matters.
![]() |
A meeting of the PCAH with a rare visit from the President |
Rather than a cost to the government, the advice of the IRS art panel saved money. As evidence of the “vast” cost savings that shutting down the Arts & Humanities committee will bring, look at its budget of a mere $334,947, most of which would be for the administrators.
Trump may believe that he knows better how to advise the arts and humanities communities ... or does he just want to do away with any advocacy for the arts?
If you think I exaggerate, The Los Angeles Times of February 10 reported “shock waves through the world of arts and culture” when he announced that he intends to appoint himself as Chairman of the Kennedy Center! As I have learned while editing this Missive, after firing several members of the board, he has been “elected” Chairman!
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) has become a cudgel. Whatever someone in the new administration doesn’t like can be done away with based on this concept of equality and fairness being bad. It is, of course, most potent against the arts which by its nature includes many minorities. The Smithsonian immediately knuckled under and closed its office of diversity. The administration’s order also encourages employees to report any DEI related activities, just as in any totalitarian country. From the movie “After Yang” ...
Donations are often made to what people feel are the most important causes. Medicine has understandably been the leading beneficiary, but even in that light the arts are important for mental health. They have been around since man could express her/himself and have had some form of public support in every culture.
Allow me to conclude from a paragraph in that Los Angeles Times article commenting on the damage being done by the President’s Executive Orders:
“As a tool for dissent the arts are unrivaled.” Perhaps this is what the current administration fears. The paragraph continues that the arts “also build empathy, encourage creative problem-solving and build strong communities. None of these values appear to currently have a place in Washington”.