National Endowment for the Arts Grants Revoked

 

We are writing again with disheartening news. On May 2nd, CALL was informed that two National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants are being terminated and withdrawn, making an immediate loss of $30,000. This is on top of what was cut from our National Science Foundation grant. You may have received reports from other arts organizations. The spontaneous database of REVOKED NEA FUNDING has calculated over $25M in lost support.

 

Since 2015, CALL has been working in the NW Bronx, to support community efforts by local activists to daylight Tibbetts Brook through artistic and community-based practices. Our Rescuing Tibbetts Brook initiative has been a cornerstone of our mission. Without the NEA grant, we face significant hurdles in maintaining the momentum and impact of our projects.

 

This capricious cancellation erodes CALL’s capacity to sustain our work, which is slow and is achieved incrementally from the knowledge we gather, the relationships built over time, and the teams that we bring together. Defunding one project undermines all the cumulative work CALL has invested in. 

 

Our newest project in Corona, Queens began two years ago as we visited sites throughout NYC’s boroughs to uncover new perspectives on complex issues and the consequences of flash flooding. Simultaneously we reignited a partnership with urban ecologist, Eric Sanderson and his colleagues at the New York Botanical Garden, to formulate a synergistic approach to confronting these challenges. 

 

After completing an investigative WALK followed by a community WORKSHOP to better grasp the concerns of residents and move toward projects for envisioning new futures, we have recruited a Neighborhood Project Team (NPT) that nominated and helped inform the artist selection process. We are still in the initial formative phases of this project, which will take roughly six months for the artists to interact with the community and the other team members (Sanderson and his colleagues) to formulate their first steps. 

 

CALL’s loss of funding weakens or may break the chain of connection, knowledge, and creative ingenuity that makes our work meaningful and impactful. We are committed to finding innovative ways to move forward. We hold up the spirit of collaboration and resilience as we navigate these challenges.

 

We are reaching out to our community and supporters for encouragement and assistance. You can help us bridge this gap and ensure our work continues to thrive. Whether through donations, spreading the word, or sharing your perspective all will make a difference. 

 

Thank you, 

Mary, Olivia & the entire CALL team