A Midterm Election Guide for Artists and Arts Workers
Issues touching on arts funding, censorship, AI regulation, and more are at stake for the country’s cultural sectors across key Senate, House, and Gubernatorial races.
As Americans head to the polls tomorrow for the midterm elections, the cultural sector bears keen interest in the outcomes, given Congress's authority to allocate funds to federal arts entities like the National Endowment for the Arts. With Republicans holding narrow majorities in both chambers, control of the House and Senate could significantly impact artistic freedom, affordability for artists, and cultural funding.
Three key races to watch for those concerned with artistic matters include Senate, House, and gubernatorial contests. In the Senate, Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed leads Republican Mike Rogers in one of the most-anticipated races, with El-Sayed holding a five-point advantage over the former FBI agent and U.S. Representative. Rogers, endorsed by President Trump and receiving over $13 million in funding from pro-Israel lobbying groups, has opposed El-Sayed's Medicare for All proposal and UAW alignment.
El-Sayed's platform emphasizes universal healthcare and support for unions, which are crucial considerations for artists who face high insurance costs and AI-driven job displacement.
In House races, artists and arts workers will scrutinize candidates' stances on arts funding and cultural policies. In gubernatorial races, similar attention will be paid to candidates' proposals for arts education, heritage preservation, and cultural landscape protection. As the midterms unfold, the cultural community watches closely, hoping for elected officials who champion artistic freedom and equitable access to resources.
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