Dear Dance Community,

Like many of you, we are closely monitoring updates from our colleagues in the field and from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) regarding funding requirements. Since Dance/NYC’s statement shared on Friday, March 7, there have been important developments.

In response to the ACLU lawsuit against the NEA, the agency has removed the requirement that applicants certify that they will not "promote gender ideology". This means that applicants for FY26 funding no longer need to submit this certification as part of their application while the lawsuit challenging these restrictions remains in progress. For dance organizations and artists reliant on federal funding but also committed to their values, this is a pivotal win.

As a result of this change, Dance/NYC will now move forward with applying for NEA funding, as the most immediate certification barrier has been removed.

Still, the broader limitation on NEA funding for projects labeled as “promoting gender ideology” remains in effect. This places the decision-making onus on the NEA, not on applicants, which means they may reject funding if not addressed. Dance/NYC will, alongside the several organizations directly involved, continue to advocate for the overturn of these restrictions before the full grant application deadline—formerly March 24, now April 7.

What you can do:

• Take Dance/USA’s survey on how recent changes to NEA grant requirements are affecting you.
• Stay informed: Visit the ACLU’s website for the latest updates.