So much is happening this week that we should just get right to it.
The city arts budget
First, if you haven't read our story on the Trump administration revoking NEA grants to local cultural orgs, don't miss it. And also make sure you're in the know on the 2026 city budget for the arts. There was some confusing info reported on arts dollars this year, but I got to the bottom of the proposed budget with arts leaders including Philly chief cultural officer Val Gay. Be sure to get up to speed on this story and then write or call your councilmember to let them know you support arts funding. Councilmember Rue Landau is hosting a rally for arts funding at City Hall at 1pm today, followed by public testimony to City Council at 2pm.
Federal threats
We also have our eye on the federal budget being hashed out in Congress as you read this. In addition to throwing millions of people off of their health insurance to finance tax cuts for billionaires, and proposing the elimination of the NEA and other agencies critical to Amercian cultural life, the budget reveals chilling threats to nonprofits, including unprecedented Presidential authority to revoke an organization's tax-exempt status on an ideological basis, without due process.
If BSR, for example, came under scrutiny from an agent of this administration, how long do you think it would take them to revoke our nonprofit status, without recourse, for failing to align with MAGA principles? You can learn more about that danger here.
If you are not yet personally affected by these policies, do not wait until you are to act. Call and email your reps in Congress. Repeatedly. Tell them not to cut off our healthcare. Tell them to save our cultural agencies. Tell them not to target nonprofits.
Goodbye to ArtBlog
In more local news, we were saddened earlier this week to learn that the ArtBlog, one of Philly's only remaining arts outlets, will close down this spring after 21 years of vital arts coverage. We at BSR look forward to an in-depth conversation with founding editor Roberta Fallon about where we go from here, and how we in the BSR community can continue to honor this important work and the ArtBlog community.
Join the BSR team at upcoming events!
We're almost to the end. Thanks to everyone who's already registered for our June 4 BSR Book Week author panel. It's happening on Zoom and tickets are a suggested $20 donation, but there's a PWYC option. RSVP here. And our team is excited for the PVLA Arts Affair (we are once again a proud media partner), coming up tomorrow (Thursday June 15). This is your last chance to grab tix to the party, featuring food, drinks, and great entertainment including host Cookie Diorio.
Don't miss this week's reviews.
And last but certainly not least, this week's coverage! Our writers head to the PMA, Woodmere Art Museum, the Performance Garage, and the Philadelphia Ballet. Looking ahead, I'm excited to share my conversation with Opera Philadelphia general director and president Anthony Roth Costanzo about closing a newsworthy season. And as always, Kyle will be with you tomorrow to ease you into the weekend.
Remember that nobody is able to take all of the actions all of the time. But commit to choosing at least one. The future of outlets like BSR, and American freedom of expression, depend on it.
Alaina Johns
BSR editor-in-chief
