BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Birmingham Children’s Theater (BCT) says its current grant agreement with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has been terminated.

The theater says the news comes as part of a nationwide wave of cuts impacting arts and non-profit organizations, including performing arts, public libraries, and children’s education programs.

Officials say the loss of federal support threatens current and upcoming projects along with the future of the arts for children and communities in Birmingham.

“Art is an essential part of who we are. It’s the way we tell our stories, understand our emotions, and connect with others,” said Ashley Woods, Executive Artistic Director of Birmingham Children’s Theatre. “For children, the arts are a space for emotional growth, community belonging, and self-expression. These cuts don’t just take away resources promised; they cancel the future. The new works we were preparing to share, the stories still waiting to be told, may never reach an audience.”

With calls to eliminate the NEA permanently, BCT is “encouraging the public to contact their local representatives to demand support for the NEA, attend local arts performances to show support for the arts in their communities, and donate to and volunteer with local organizations.”

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