A new orchestral piece, *The Ronald Reagan Overture*, commissioned by the New West Symphony and funded with a $25,000 NEA grant, exemplifies a federal shift toward patriotic art in honor of the U.S. semiquincentennial. This change follows the Trump administration’s 2025 decision to rescind $21 million in NEA funding—particularly targeting diversity- and inclusion-focused initiatives—and prioritize projects celebrating national heroes like Reagan, Muhammad Ali, and Susan B. Anthony. While some see the emphasis on patriotism as unifying, others mourn the loss of programs supporting underserved communities.
Original Article Source Link:
https://www.npr.org/2026/07/10/nx-s1-5870578/ronald-reagan-250th-patriotic-art