In an action that has ignited discussions about state backing for cultural programs, ex-President Donald Trump has disbanded the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH). This choice, executed discretely on the day of his inauguration, mirrors Trump’s overarching attempts to undo measures from the Biden administration and indicates an ongoing change in the federal approach to emphasizing the arts and humanities.
The PCAH, created in 1982 during President Ronald Reagan’s tenure, aimed to function as an advisory body linking notable personalities from the arts, humanities, and academia with those in policymaking roles. Its purpose was to advocate for cultural projects and encourage cooperation among public, private, and philanthropic entities to enhance arts and museum services throughout the United States. Throughout its history, the committee has featured renowned members like Frank Sinatra, Yo-Yo Ma, and more recently, contemporary cultural figures such as Lady Gaga and George Clooney.
The committee’s latest reestablishment occurred under President Joe Biden in 2022, after it was initially dissolved by Trump during his first term. Biden reinstated the PCAH as part of an extensive plan to rekindle national support for the arts, bringing in 31 members, including notable entertainers, scholars, and museum directors. By 2024, the committee was functioning with a modest budget of $335,000 and had convened six times to deliberate on cultural policies and initiatives.
The committee’s most recent revival came under President Joe Biden in 2022, following its initial disbandment by Trump during his first term. Biden reestablished the PCAH as part of a broader effort to restore support for the arts at a national level, appointing 31 members, including high-profile entertainers, academics, and museum curators. By 2024, the committee operated on a modest budget of $335,000 and had met six times to discuss cultural policy and initiatives.
A quiet dissolution with wide implications
Steve Israel, a former Democratic congressman who was appointed to the committee by Biden, voiced his dissatisfaction, saying, “He not only dismissed all of us but also dissolved the committee itself. It implies a deliberate antagonism toward the arts and humanities.” Israel’s comments highlight the discontent experienced by numerous individuals in the cultural sphere, who interpret the abolition of the PCAH as indicative of a wider neglect of the arts.
Steve Israel, a former Democratic congressman and one of Biden’s appointees to the committee, expressed his disappointment, stating, “Not only did he fire us all, but he disbanded the actual committee. It suggests a proactive hostility toward the arts and humanities.” Israel’s remarks underscore the frustration felt by many within the cultural community, who see the elimination of the PCAH as symbolic of a broader disregard for the arts.
The Trump administration has defended its decision, citing concerns over fiscal responsibility. During his first term, Trump disbanded the PCAH in 2017 after nearly all its members resigned in protest of his handling of the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. At the time, Trump argued that the committee was an unnecessary expense and not a responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
The PCAH was originally established to provide the arts and humanities with an official voice in federal policymaking. Throughout the years, it enabled collaborations, offered guidance to the White House, and sought to advance cultural projects across the country. The committee was instrumental in influencing national cultural strategies and promoting investment in creative and educational activities. Its disbandment now brings up concerns regarding the prospect of federal backing for the arts.
Although the PCAH has been dissolved, other important cultural bodies, like the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), continue to exist. Nonetheless, Trump has previously aimed at these entities, advocating for their defunding during his initial term. Despite these suggestions, both agencies have continued their operations, albeit with diminished federal backing.
Biden’s PCAH and its function
When Joe Biden revived the PCAH in 2022, his goal was to reestablish it as a link between the federal government and the cultural field. Biden’s chosen members encompassed a blend of celebrities, academics, and heads from organizations like the Smithsonian and NEA. Figures such as Lady Gaga, George Clooney, and Jon Batiste added star appeal to the committee, while others concentrated on tackling structural challenges confronting the arts.
When Joe Biden reinstated the PCAH in 2022, he aimed to restore its role as a bridge between the federal government and the cultural sector. Biden’s appointments included a mix of celebrities, scholars, and leaders from institutions like the Smithsonian and NEA. Members like Lady Gaga, George Clooney, and Jon Batiste brought star power to the committee, while others focused on addressing systemic challenges facing the arts.
The committee’s work under Biden was limited but impactful, with discussions centered around expanding access to arts education, supporting museum services, and addressing inequities in cultural funding. However, the committee’s relatively limited budget and few meetings highlighted both its potential and its constraints. Its sudden elimination under Trump has left many wondering how these gaps will now be addressed.
Trump’s strategy regarding cultural projects has involved a combination of financial reductions for traditional arts programs and targeted backing for particular ventures. While he has scaled back support for established arts initiatives, Trump has demonstrated an interest in celebrating cultural heritage through alternative measures. For instance, his administration has unveiled plans to establish a large outdoor sculpture park devoted to American artists, musicians, and actors like Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, and Lauren Bacall. This endeavor, anticipated to launch in 2026 to coincide with the U.S. semiquincentennial, illustrates Trump’s ambition to leave a cultural imprint by concentrating on projects that align with his vision.
Trump’s approach to cultural initiatives has been marked by a mix of budget cuts and selective support for specific projects. While he has reduced funding for established arts programs, Trump has also shown interest in promoting cultural heritage through other means. For example, his administration has announced plans to create a large outdoor sculpture park honoring American artists, musicians, and actors, such as Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, and Lauren Bacall. The project, set to open in 2026 to coincide with the U.S. semiquincentennial, reflects Trump’s desire to leave a cultural legacy while focusing on initiatives that align with his vision.
Wider effects on the arts and humanities
The dismantling of the PCAH feeds into a larger discussion about the government’s responsibility in nurturing culture. Advocates for federal arts funding maintain that initiatives like the PCAH, NEA, and NEH are essential for safeguarding the nation’s cultural legacy, enhancing education, and stimulating creativity. They highlight the financial advantages of cultural investment, emphasizing that the arts inject billions of dollars into the U.S. economy and sustain millions of jobs.
The dissolution of the PCAH is part of a broader debate about the role of government in supporting culture. Proponents of federal arts funding argue that programs like the PCAH, NEA, and NEH are vital for preserving the country’s cultural heritage, promoting education, and fostering creativity. They point to the economic benefits of cultural investment, noting that the arts contribute billions of dollars to the U.S. economy and support millions of jobs.
Opponents, however, view such programs as unnecessary expenditures. Trump’s repeated calls to cut funding for the NEA and NEH reflect this viewpoint, as does his decision to dissolve the PCAH. For many, the debate goes beyond budgetary concerns and touches on deeper questions about national identity, values, and priorities.
The path forward
The road ahead
As the arts and humanities community grapples with the loss of the PCAH, attention will likely turn to other avenues for support. Organizations like the NEA and NEH will play an even more critical role in filling the void left by the committee’s dissolution. Additionally, state and local governments, as well as private foundations, may need to step up their efforts to ensure that cultural initiatives continue to thrive.
For Trump, the decision to eliminate the PCAH aligns with his broader push to streamline government and reduce spending. However, the move also risks alienating artists, educators, and cultural leaders who see the arts as a vital part of the nation’s fabric. As the debate over federal support for the arts continues, the legacy of the PCAH—and its absence—will remain a point of contention.
Whether Trump’s plans for a sculpture park and other cultural projects will be enough to offset the loss of the PCAH remains to be seen. For now, the dissolution of the committee marks a turning point in the relationship between the federal government and the arts, leaving many to wonder what the future holds for cultural policy in the United States.
