(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On October 2, 2025, leaders from arts and education institutions gathered for a round table discussion at McCarter Theatre in Princeton, in response to the growing crises resulting from funding cuts and fears of censorship. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman had been scheduled to join but was unable as she was in DC preparing for budget discussions with her peers.
Participants included: Martin Miller, Executive Director, McCarter Theatre; Michele Russo, President & CEO, Young Audiences NJ & Eastern PA; Jorden Schiff, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Teaching and Learning Services, NJ Department of Education; Dr. Rosetta Treece, Superintendent, Hopewell Valley School District; Donna McInerney, CEO, Foundation for Educational Administration, New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association; Vanessa Ramalho, Director of External Relations, ArtPrideNJ; Rhonda diMascio, Executive Director of Morven Museum and Garden; and Erik James Montgomery, Teaching Artist with Young Audiences. James Gee and Jay Redd from Stono Public Affairs moderated the discussion. Either directly or indirectly affected by federal funding cuts or freezes, the group spoke candidly about negative impacts already being felt.
Donna McInerney shared, “We’re seeing budget cuts impacting school districts’ key leadership roles, particularly that of supervisors. We have supervisors in visual and performing arts roles with no experience in the arts. We need experts in all the content areas to provide a well-rounded curriculum that includes the arts—that’s what’s best for students.”
“We’re seeing ripple effects of the cuts to the US Department of Education including schools laying off arts specialists who are our partners, and reduced budgets for the arts,” shared Michele Russo. “Threats to NEA funding means there is a loss of matching funds to support critical programs, like our work in inclusive arts education for students in special education.”
While the community has helped to support the arts, Hopewell Valley School District is having to make tough decisions. Dr. Treece shared, “Our parents will fundraise as much as they can, but they cannot cover everything. Our district has had to make cuts to arts programs. We had to cancel the yearly field trip to the symphony for our elementary-grade students. I’m having to make choices: cut teachers or cut vital arts programming.”
In Princeton, Morven Museum and Garden is in the middle of capital improvement projects. Rhonda DiMascio shared, “We’re hiring contractors, and passing the majority of grant funds back into the economy to benefit small businesses. These cuts mean less programming for residents and fewer dollars into the local economy.”
Martin Miller shared about the arts ecosystem as a whole, from what he’s seeing in peer theatres and institutions across the country. “When we talk about the importance of national support, we’re really talking about the importance of our broader arts ecosystem,” said Miller. “We can’t just solve this challenge state by state, or organization by organization, because that will lead to cultural deserts across the country. In rural communities, an NEA grant often makes the difference between sustaining and closing up shop for good. Losing these hubs for gathering, tolerance, and economic activity steals a brighter future from our kids.”
The conversation turned towards the sanitization of history, censorship, and fears of censorship. “We’re seeing a lot of censorship and self-censorship, and anti-DEI sentiment is growing,” shared Donna McInerney. “But the arts are centered in diversity: of culture, artform, and expression.
Rhonda diMascio shared about Morven’s commitment. “There’s been an attack on arts and culture and there’s pressure to ‘sanitize’ history. We won’t go back and ‘scrub’ our work. As a result, we haven’t pursued grants that require that type of compliance.”
As a teaching artist who works in many Title 1 schools, Erik James Montgomery shared his reflections on the students he works with. “When young people engage in the arts, they become a whole person able to tackle life’s difficulties at a higher level. I've seen children who are non-verbal lighten up when they hold a camera in their hand and create something out of nothing. I've seen children who don't know where their next meal is coming from able to see value in what they create.”
“We must remain focused on our students and uphold New Jersey’s commitment to providing a comprehensive education through the teaching of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, which include the arts and diverse perspectives,” said Assistant Commissioner Jorden Schiff. “Indeed, our academic standards help ensure a comprehensive education that fully and accurately examines our history—including the arts—to foster greater understanding and appreciation.”
In a district that continues to embrace diversity, Dr. Treece shared the many efforts of Hopewell Valley School District to educate students to be prepared for the diverse world, including participating in the Witness Stones project, which commemorates the lives of enslaved individuals who lived in the area.
Vanessa Ramalho reminded the group that ArtPride is “[S]upporting our member organizations to stay committed to their values and encouraging them to tell the real and honest stories of their work.” ArtprideNJ.org’s online action center provides updates, email templates and resources for individuals to advocate.
