The Joint Hearing of the Joint Committee on Arts and the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee convened on May 14, 2025, to discuss significant issues affecting cultural institutions in California. A key focus of the meeting was the impact of federal funding cuts on organizations like the Japanese American National Museum (JANM).

Anne Burrows, the CEO of JANM, addressed the committee, emphasizing the museum's dual role as a cultural history institution and a center for the arts and civil rights. She highlighted the museum's mission to preserve the history of the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans and to celebrate the cultural diversity of the United States. Burrows described JANM as a place of memory, reconciliation, justice, and hope, situated in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, the oldest Japan town in the country.

Burrows expressed concern over the federal funding cuts and the resulting challenges faced by the museum. She noted that these cuts could hinder the museum's ability to fulfill its mission and serve the community effectively. The discussion underscored the importance of continued support for cultural institutions that play a vital role in preserving history and promoting diversity.

The meeting also provided a platform for committee members to engage with representatives from various cultural organizations, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue about funding and support for the arts and cultural sectors in California. As the committee continues its work, the implications of federal funding decisions remain a critical concern for institutions dedicated to cultural preservation and education.