Details on the Federal & State Budgets Impacting Our Region’s Creative Economy

Posted by Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance on November 18, 2025

PENNSYLVANIA STATE BUDGET

After a 135-day impasse, the Pennsylvania State Budget passed on Wednesday, November 12. Here’s what it means for arts, culture, and humanities in Pennsylvania:

Governor Shapiro signed into law a $50.1 billion budget, a 4.7% increase over the previous year, that not only provides critical funding for services and programs within the Commonwealth but pushes forward elements that affect the arts, culture, and humanities sector.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

After 43 days, the longest federal government shutdown in the nation’s history has officially ended. President Trump signed a funding bill on Wednesday, November 12, which provides federal funding for government operations and allows government agencies to re-open.

The legislation did not include an extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies. Many independent artists, creative entrepreneurs, and other members of our creative sector depend upon ACA to access affordable healthcare services. The urgent need for a healthcare subsidy provision requires continued vigilance from the arts and culture community.

Actions determining funding for National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and other sources of arts-related funding are anticipated in the coming weeks as Continuing Resolutions are considered by the House and Senate. However, with the government now back open and the return of furloughed federal employees, we hope these agencies will quickly resume operations and the administrative backlog will be abated.

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