Federal Money Drying Up for Montana Museums and More

What you will find in this article:

• Museums across Montana and the country have recently received letters canceling grants
• Zero funding is being allocated for fiscal year 2026 by granting institutions including the National Endowment of Arts
• Montana Directors of Arts and Cultural Institutions pen open letter to public to encourage contacting state legislators

Federal Money Drying Up for Montana Museums and More

Taking in one of the multitude of museums across Great Falls, Cascade County and through the entire state may soon be a little harder.  Cuts at the Federal level are beginning to be felt in Montana.

via GIPHY

Enough so that several executive directors, curators and more from across the state have penned an urgent letter to the residents of Montana to encourage visiting our institutions, but to also speak with representatives of the state to bring back crucial funding.

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Canceled Grants by NEA, NEH and IMLS in Montana and More

According to a press release of an open letter to the public, museums in Montana and across the country have begun receiving letters canceling grants that were already received.  Those grants were issued by:

• National Endowment of Arts (NEA)
• National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
• Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

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The open letter also states that the current administration has recommended zero funding from those 3 federally authorized agencies for the fiscal year 2026.

Directors and Curators Across Montana Want You to be Involved

The open letter is signed by several executive directors and curators from across Montana including Missoula, Helena, Bozeman and Great Falls.

The letter encourages all residents of Montana to contact legislators to express concern over the funding cuts for this year and in 2026.  They also implore people to visit your area museum for support of the arts in our state.