The Joint Hearing of the California State Assembly's Joint Committee on Arts and the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee convened on May 14, 2025, to address pressing issues facing the cultural sector in California. Key discussions centered on the impact of recent federal funding cuts on cultural organizations and the need for state support to protect and advance California's diverse cultural landscape.

Rick Noguchi, Executive Director of California Humanities, highlighted the critical role of humanities in understanding and celebrating California's diverse cultures. He expressed concern over the abrupt termination of federal funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which has historically supported numerous cultural projects across the state. This funding cut, affecting approximately $970,000 in grants for the current fiscal year, poses a significant threat to the sustainability of many nonprofit organizations reliant on these resources.

During the meeting, representatives from various cultural sectors emphasized the interconnectedness of the arts and humanities, noting that the loss of funding not only impacts individual organizations but also the broader cultural ecosystem, including local businesses and communities. The discussions underscored the importance of maintaining a vibrant cultural sector, which is seen as essential to California's identity and economic health.

The committee members were urged to consider state-level investments to mitigate the effects of federal cuts and to explore long-term funding solutions, such as a ballot measure, to ensure the ongoing support of California's cultural institutions. The call for action reflects a growing recognition of the need to safeguard the state's cultural heritage and support the workforce that contributes to it.

As the meeting concluded, participants expressed hope for collaborative efforts to address these challenges and ensure that California's rich cultural narrative continues to thrive amidst changing political and economic landscapes.