"Art Doesn't Fund Itself: The Truth About Nonprofit Arts Funding"
- Dawn Anderson
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
By: Dawn M. Anderson
Here at the Armory Arts & Events Center in Park Rapids, our mission has always been simple: to be the hub of art, music, and workshops for our community. We believe that art belongs to everyone, and we work hard to ensure our space is welcoming, inclusive, and alive with creativity. But there is a quieter, less visible side to running a nonprofit arts center—the constant, behind-the-scenes effort to secure the funding that keeps the lights on and the doors open.
Lately, that effort has become much more difficult. If you follow the news, you may have heard about the recent, sudden cuts to federal arts funding. In early May 2025, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) began terminating hundreds of grants across the country, totaling over $27 million in lost funding for arts organizations . In Minnesota alone, numerous organizations—from the Children's Theatre Company to the Penumbra Center for Racial Healing—were stunned to learn that their signed federal contracts were abruptly canceled .
This isn't just a big-city problem. When federal funding dries up, the ripple effects are felt everywhere, including right here in rural Minnesota.
The Funding Squeeze
For many people, the word "nonprofit" brings to mind a sense of stability, perhaps assuming that because we serve the public, public funds will always be there to support us. The reality is much more fragile. According to recent reports, the arts and culture sector is facing a severe funding squeeze. At the state level across the country, overall arts appropriations are expected to drop by 10% in fiscal year 2025 . Meanwhile, inflation has stretched every dollar thin, and individual donations have struggled to keep pace with rising costs.
Here in Minnesota, we are incredibly fortunate to have the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, which provides vital support through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Organizations like the Region 2 Arts Council have been lifelines for us, helping fund workshops, exhibits, and community events that would otherwise be impossible.
But even with this incredible state-level support, the landscape is shifting. When major federal grants disappear, larger organizations inevitably turn to regional and state foundations to fill their budget gaps. This creates a hyper-competitive environment where rural nonprofits—who often operate on razor-thin margins to begin with—are forced to compete for a shrinking pool of resources.
Why It Matters for Park Rapids
You might wonder how a federal budget cut in Washington D.C. impacts a mosaic workshop or a local gallery exhibit in Park Rapids. The truth is, grant funding is the invisible scaffolding that holds up so much of what we do.
When we host a free community event like the Procession of the Species, or when we open the Gallery @ the Armory to exclusively feature the work of local artists, we are relying on a delicate patchwork of grants, sponsorships, and community donations.
We know that in rural Minnesota, the arts are not a luxury—they are a necessity. They weave neighbors together, preserve our local culture, and provide a space where people can connect and create. When funding is cut, it threatens that connection. As Sarah Bellamy, President of the Penumbra Center for Racial Healing, so beautifully put it following the recent NEA cuts:
"Our eyes are fixed on the horizon... At the end of the day, plays may be cancelled, programs may be defunded, doors may even close, but art remains" .
Moving Forward, Together
We share that resilience. The Armory Arts & Events Center isn't going anywhere. We are committed to moving forward, continuing to pitch bold ideas for grants, and finding new ways to support the artists who call our community home.
But we also want to be transparent about the reality we face. As a nonprofit, we cannot do this alone. When grants become scarce, community support becomes the deciding factor in whether a program thrives or disappears.
If you believe in the power of the arts to transform a community, there are so many ways you can help us weather this storm:
•Show up: Attend our workshops, visit the gallery, and bring a friend. Your presence matters.
•Speak up: Share our events on social media and tell your neighbors about the work we do.
•Step up: If you have the means, consider making a donation. Every single dollar goes directly toward supporting local artists and keeping our space open to everyone.
The funding landscape may be uncertain, but our community is not. Together, we can ensure that Park Rapids remains a vibrant, creative home for the arts—no matter what the budget forecasts say.
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