Arts in the New Administration
Unfiltered Thoughts on the Next Four Years From Our Founders
As we prepare for the presidential inauguration, our team found ourselves discussing a pressing question: How might the second Donald Trump presidency shape the nonprofit arts sector? During a recent trip, while stuck in separate airplane seats, we turned to Slack to hash out our thoughts. Below is a slightly edited version of our conversation—a candid look at the challenges, opportunities, and strategies we see for the arts in this moment of political and cultural transformation.
The Arts in an Authoritarian Landscape
Leandro
Since the election, I’ve been thinking about the tense relationship between the arts and authoritarian governments. While I don’t foresee outright censorship, I worry about subtler forms of control—such as political pressure leading to the defunding of theaters perceived as “too woke.” Bills targeting nonprofit oversight are already surfacing, raising the stakes for arts organizations reliant on 501(c)(3) status. What’s top of mind for you as we prepare for Donald Trump’s second term?
Al
Disruption comes to mind. Some good. Mostly bad. And be prepared to get some legal counsel.
I think the election was about a change. And I think we’re going to see some economic disruption and how the government works. Some of the arguments about funding the arts might come under attack due to a rooting out of “woke” ideology. We will likely see fights in court and over funding that we haven’t seen since the early 1990s.
I think Crypto is going to become more mainstream and Ai is going to flourish. Some of that will be good for nonprofits.
Tiff
It reminds me of what happened during Reagan’s presidency. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the NEA and NEH defunded entirely. Red states, in particular, may cut funding for organizations that produce “controversial” or identity-driven work. At the same time, we might see the rise of more overtly conservative arts movements—what some might call “anti-woke” programming.
Leandro
Oooo @Tiff - I hadn’t really thought about that. What does that look like???
Tiff
Lord knows what folks will come up with but I’m thinking The Birth of a Nation
Like something that unironically shows stereotypes
Al
Kinda like that “Am I Racist?” Documentary
Leandro
What’s that? I haven’t heard of it.
Al
It’s a mockumentary where a white filmmaker goes around to anti-racism trainings and basically pans them. At one point he even interviews Robin D’Angelo!
Leandro
And do you think there will be arts organizations that program “anti-woke” stuff like that?
Tiff
I believe anything can happen. I mean, I live in Louisiana where political dynamics often feel amplified. It’s not hard to imagine conservative arts organizations emerging, funded by donors who share their ideological leanings.
Playing It Safe vs. Taking a Stand
Al
If this type of content gains traction, it raises questions about what kinds of programming arts organizations might embrace—or reject—in this climate. I’m curious how else do you think the Trump administration might impact the art that is produced or the programs nonprofits emphasize?
Leandro
Some theaters will program in your face controversial work that defies any restrictions. Others will play it safe and program work that “isn’t political.” I put that in quotes because I do believe that all cultural work is political. And some others will try to mask their messages, slipping in a political POV in a way that’s more understated than what we’ve done in the past. Which also brings about the question of what artists will do. How will they respond to both the presidency, but also to the organizations that are making these unbelievably tough decisions.
So here’s a thorny question: Is it wrong for theaters to take a “safe” approach to programming in this political climate—either from a business or ethical standpoint?
Tiff
It’s hard to judge. Organizations will do what they need to survive. Some will double down on politically provocative work, while others will steer clear of controversy. There’s also the influence of boards and donors—many of whom may push for safer programming to avoid alienating funders.
Al
It’s a false dichotomy to separate “good art” from “political art.” But the reality is that donor and ticket buyer sensitivity will likely shape programming decisions. Smaller arts organizations might have more freedom to take risks here, given their relative lack of reliance on large, conservative donors.
Tiff
I also think we’ll see liberal angel donors step up to fund theaters producing challenging work. Those investments could create pockets of resistance and innovation even in a hostile funding landscape.
Opportunities in the Chaos: AI, Crypto, and Adaptive Leadership
Leandro
Amid these challenges, where do we find hope? Al, you mentioned that Ai and Crypto might benefit nonprofits. How so?
Al
Crypto could introduce innovative ways for organizations to accept donations or think differently about currency and value. Imagine a theater accepting Bitcoin donations and leveraging blockchain technology to provide greater transparency. For example, donors could see how their contributions are being allocated in real-time, which could build trust and attract new supporters who value openness and innovation.
Of course, nonprofits would need clear policies to handle cryptocurrency donations effectively. Many nonprofits could opt to sell crypto donations immediately to avoid risks, but others may see potential in holding onto it for future value. Crypto offers exciting possibilities, but it also requires careful planning to manage the risks and maximize its benefits.
Meanwhile, Ai has the potential to streamline operations and enhance productivity—provided it’s regulated properly. If we can get workers to be more productive or products further differentiated by implementing Ai, I think that encourages competition and lifts all boats. Although some boats will rise more than others.
Leandro
I love the idea of seeing disruption as an opportunity. But we’ll need leadership that’s adaptive, bold, and creative to make the most of these tools. As transitions happen over the next four years, I’ll be curious how this will impact who organizations hire to lead them during a time of such disruption.
The Power of Theater to Build Community and Trust
Leandro
One of the things I’m hopeful about is the ability of theater to counter the isolation and distrust that often accompany political upheaval.
I recently read the NYtimes oped from Miriam Elder called “Don’t Let Donald Trump Drive You Into Internal Exile” where she draws comparisons to Russia in 2012. She says, “The fight against Mr. Putin had been lost, the thinking went, and you had but one life to live. Why not spend it making a cozy home, tending a little garden, shutting out the leaden horrors outside? You didn’t have to move anywhere to internally emigrate. There was no financial cost or material upheaval. You simply had — to bastardize a phrase popularized by Timothy Leary — to turn in, tune out and drop out.”
People are tired. I’m afraid there will be a gut impulse to retreat inward. To devalue community. Hell I fear we’re already there and it’s going to get worse. I’m hopeful that the arts can keep people from turning fully inward and keep the populace engaged.
The arts, and theater, in particular, are uniquely positioned to bring people together and foster dialogue.
Al
Exactly. I’m reminded of Martha Lavey’s words that theater is “a repository of our collective stories, a soul for our communities.” Great theater has the power to create shared experiences that build bonds across divides. If we can focus on being community-centric rather than elitist, we have a chance to remain relevant. I wonder if theaters are going to be tagged as an "elite" activity?
Leandro
I fear it’s already seen that way. And similar to the way the media's been talking about how “the elite is out of touch with everyday people” so are our theaters. We see it in subscriber numbers, in ticket sales, etc. theaters have been falling out of relevance for folks and I think some folks see it as a product of intellectual “elite” programming. How do theaters, especially the large ones, become spaces of community when they’re seen as an institution and a large number of people distrust any form of institution? Any ideas?
Tiff
This might mean rethinking how we serve our communities. Offering childcare, subsidizing tickets, or even providing transportation could make theater more accessible to more people. There are theaters who have been doing this kind of work for a long time. For example, pay-what-you-can programs, or Mixed Blood’s Radical Hospitality program. The flip side of these programs is you run the risk that artists feel you aren’t valuing their work - it’s a delicate balance.
Moving Forward: Resistance and Subversion
Tiff
I’ve been reading about how artists operated under authoritarian regimes in Chile and Argentina during the 1970s. Their strategies for subversion and survival offer valuable lessons for today’s arts organizations. How can we play the game to our advantage while staying true to our missions?
Leandro
Chile is one of the countries that Daniel Hunter cites in his “10 ways to be prepared and grounded now that Trump has won”. He says, “In Chile they organized under the guise of affinity groups. This was, as its name suggests, people who shared some connections and trust. Finding just a few people who you trust to regularly act with and touch base with is central.” I’m interested in theater becoming a space that fosters shared connections.
Adrienne maree brown’s advice to “move at the speed of trust” feels especially relevant. If we focus on building authentic relationships—both within our organizations and with our communities—we can create a foundation for resilience. Theater’s collaborative nature is its greatest strength in this moment.
This conversation left us with more questions than answers about the future of the arts. But one thing is clear: the survival of the arts depends on adaptability, courage, and community. How will you contribute to keeping the arts a vital part of our cultural fabric?
