Amherst Cinema Issues Statement on Termination of NEA Grant

AMHERST — On May 7, Amherst Cinema released the following statement to its community:

“Amherst Cinema’s Bellwether series celebrated its 100th screening last December. Featuring creative, thoughtful, and inventive approaches to non-fiction cinema, this transformative monthly series pairs brave, bold films with appearances by and conversations with visiting artists from around the country and around the world. It represents the possibilities of cinema when we widen the boundaries of exhibition.

“Last Friday, May 2, we were informed via email that our 2025 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant to fund Bellwether was being terminated due to shifting federal priorities under the Trump administration. The cinema was among hundreds of arts groups of various sizes across the U.S. that received the emails just hours after President Trump proposed eliminating the NEA entirely from the federal budget.

“Amherst Cinema is a nonprofit arts organization — a catalyst for community — and we serve a constituency that deeply values and supports the arts. We hold that the arts are a vital component of a healthy, functioning society, and a reflection of and inspiration for our shared humanity. The film arts, in particular, capture our collective stories and preserve them for future generations. Our Bellwether series is especially important because many of these films remain self-distributed or only play in select film festivals.

“For five successive years, Bellwether has merited funding from the NEA through a rigorous and competitive grant process. We have consistently met and exceeded expectations, demonstrating the merits of our programming, supporting the work of independent filmmakers, and bringing artists and audiences together in person and in conversation.

“It’s important to note that termination of our $20,000 grant at this time leaves two-thirds of our 2025 Bellwether programs unfunded — a clear breach of contract. Because of our deep commitment to the Bellwether series as a manifestation of our values and mission, coupled with our strict adherence to the guidelines laid out by NEA, we will be taking immediate action to appeal this decision.

“The potential loss of future NEA funding and other federal resources means we will be relying on support from the Amherst Cinema community now more than ever. These are uncertain times. We know you feel it, too. Let’s work together to save the things that bring joy and value to our lives and our community.”