Dear AFC Family,
If you haven't already heard, I hope you will pause with me to absorb some recent news:
On Friday night, the National Endowment for the Arts sent notifications to arts organizations across the country terminating awards for projects already in progress and withdrawing recent offers of funding.
$50,000 in federal funding already awarded to A Far Cry is at risk. The NEA issued a change in its grantmaking policy priorities, “to focus funding on projects that reflect the nation’s rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President.” A Far Cry was informed that our projects do not align with these new priorities. These include some concerts you’ll remember from this past season, and that the Criers and I feel particularly proud of:
CODED, featuring Davone Tines in October 2024
For Seasons, featuring Crier Violinists this past March
Use code WATCHFREE for a free digital pass to experience these performances.
Our NEA grant also includes the pilot and continuation of Listening Lab - a free, interactive series that builds community and connection through our democratic model of music making, the further development of For Seasons as part of a long-term initiative to commission new works, and an epic project that’s slated to take place in November of 2026 (you read right: 18 months from now). While we anticipated that future federal funding would likely be compromised, it is a devastating blow to receive word that the promise of federal funding is being reversed for many, many important projects that have already taken place or are already in motion for A Far Cry and for our peers.
Frankly, it feels surreal to be writing this letter in the midst of all my other joyful work right now:
I have the great privilege of greeting you at our season finale this Friday at Jordan Hall; we are gearing up for our annual fundraiser event on May 20, the Spring Soiree; and soon enough we’ll be sharing our plans for next season.
These touchpoints with you, our wonderful family of fans and supporters, give us reassurance and strength that - in spite of these times of change and uncertainty - we will continue to follow through on our promises to bring people together through our special brand of music making.
Here are five things you can do right now to support A Far Cry and our country’s broader arts ecosystem:
Donate - Your support at any level will make a difference in this moment. Consider making a gift, and join us at our Spring Soiree. May and June are important months: A Far Cry and countless other organizations are fighting to close the gap on the budget right now for the current season, and this is creating an even greater stretch.
Join us at an upcoming event - One of the most joyful ways you can show your support is to be in community with us at events. We love playing for you, our audience, and it brings meaning to what we do. Our season finale is coming up on Friday, May 9 at Jordan Hall, along with many other incredible events around Boston produced by affected organizations.
Stay informed and spread the word about the impact - In the barrage of breaking news and events, a lot of the general public is not aware of how policy changes are impacting the arts. Tools like this NEA Grant Termination Tracker create visibility for arts organizations who have been affected and show the scope and scale of losses.
Share news and opportunities with arts organizations to help us keep up! - If you receive a newsletter, an article, anything that seems useful, please send it along. It’s encouraging and helps us stay on top of current events.
Contact Congress - As an organization that operates democratically, we are here to say that your voice makes a difference! From our friends at The League of American Orchestras: “It is essential that elected officials hear from their constituents about the value of federal funding for the arts. During recent previous efforts to eliminate or reduce NEA funding, bipartisan support from Congress has prevailed, and that support needs immediate reinforcement. Please see the League’s Updated NEA Advocacy Campaign for talking points that you can use in direct conversations, phone calls, and email communications to members of Congress.”
With all my heart, thank you for your support in all ways big and small. Your actions and encouragement make a meaningful difference to protect vital funding for the arts.
Grace
