The Arts Are Under Threat — Here’s How You Can Help

​The Arts Are Essential — To Our Culture, Our Communities, and Our Economy
Quad City Arts receives annual support from the National Endowment for the Arts ($36,000 on average) which helps fuel programs that reach over 436,000 each year—through public art, school residencies, cultural festivals, and more. These funds don’t just support creativity—they drive real impact.

Now, that impact is under threat.

The proposed elimination of the NEA would dismantle programs that create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and ensure the arts are accessible to everyone—regardless of income or zip code. In 2022 alone, the nonprofit arts and culture sector in the Quad Cities generated over $29 million in economic activity, supported 712 local jobs, and returned more than $6 million in government revenue. NEA grants deliver a 9-to-1 return in private and local funding. That’s not waste—it’s one of the smartest investments we can make.

With NEA support, Quad City Arts empowers artists, activates public spaces, and builds bridges across communities. These are the very outcomes that make our region thrive.

We can’t afford to lose this momentum.

Call your representatives. Share your story. Make your voice heard.

Creativity isn’t expendable—it’s essential. For our economy. For our identity. For our future.
Let’s stand up for what we’ve built—and keep the arts thriving in the Quad Cities for generations to come.

Use these resources to help spread the message:
Americans for the Arts: Protect the NEA
Americans for the Arts: Letter template for contacting representatives (Download)
Iowa Cultural Coalition: Advocacy Resources
NEA Grant Termination Tracker

Thank you for your continued support, 

Brian Allen, 
Executive Director
Quad City Arts