Most recently, on May 25, Biden announced the removal of four white, male Trump appointees to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. In the announcement, the President promised to bring in replacements who will bring “a diversity of background and experience, as well as a range of aesthetic viewpoints.” Many are unsurprised yet pleased by this move from a President whose cabinet is historically diverse and who chose Kamala Harris as his running mate.
Needless to say, arts advocates are relieved by the change of pace set by this presidency and this latest call for funding. Though neither the National Endowment for the Humanities nor the Corporation for Public Broadcasting actually experienced budget cuts under President Trump, the former President did issue yearly calls for total elimination of the agencies.
As is typically the case, citizens and officials who have been positively affected by the current President’s moves are pleased but want more—this proposed budget increase is certainly an attempt to do just that.