In today’s democracies and republics worldwide, governments are tasked with organizing group dynamics, legislating, managing international relations, and overseeing tax collection. While political structure is essential, the support for culture and the arts is equally critical for individual freedom and societal growth. This principle is enshrined in the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that “everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.” Culture encompasses both remarkable artistic endeavors and everyday activities and philosophies, weaving connections among individuals, communities, and diverse collectives. It represents imagination, knowledge, emotion, beauty; from ballet performances to community street festivals, tacos to K-pop, and the creative processes that define human experience.
Recently, the U.S. government has initiated a systematic rollback of cultural rights. This phenomenon is evident in the rapid dismantling of the Department of Education, the Public Broadcasting System, National Public Radio, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Institute for Museum and Library Services. Additionally, universities face unprecedented cuts, while museums and artists experience censorship, and equal access to cultural institutions is increasingly threatened. The fundamental right to culture is essential; its erosion significantly impacts daily life.
In our roles as educators in culture, language, and arts at two distinct universities in the heartland of America—Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and the University of Illinois Chicago—we witness firsthand that culture is accessible to all. It thrives equally in rural communities and urban centers, across states of all political affiliations. The right to culture has given rise to incredible institutions such as Chicago’s Federal Center, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, and the National Museum of Mexican Art, as well as Missouri’s Forest Park, which provides free access to art, science, and academic institutions. Organizations like the Missouri Humanities Council enrich local economies by preserving artisan crafts and historical sites, ensuring that people from different backgrounds can connect to cultural narratives. Similarly, Illinois Humanities fosters local engagement through festivals and discussions across small towns. Local residents, regardless of political ideology or socio-economic status, benefit from the offerings of these institutions, while funding cuts from Washington threaten both rural media and cultural festivals alike.
As the federal administration continues to undermine cultural institutions, it is imperative that we, as individuals, actively preserve our cultural rights. Engage deeply with culture—dine at local and immigrant-owned eateries, explore literature in both English and translation, and recommend films from both major studios and independent productions. Share ideas, soak in the rich landscape of entertainment and intellectual pursuits that culture facilitates. Attend events that resonate with you, whether they are art workshops, food fairs, library activities, academic lectures, concerts, screenings, or comedy performances. Consider supporting local organizations through donations or volunteerism to mitigate the impact of reduced federal funding. Subscribe to local and national outlets that cover arts and culture meaningfully and support those that provide access without paywalls. Delve into the cultural showcases in your vicinity and advocate for them with your local and state representatives, irrespective of their political affiliations.
Educational institutions at all levels are crucial in championing cultural rights. Cuts to K–12 and higher education programs rob the younger generations of opportunities to engage with culture’s wealth. At our respective institutions, we encourage students to pursue cultural studies fervently and urge university administrations to prioritize the arts and humanities instead of reducing funding during times of economic strain. We also challenge fellow educators to advocate for culture, resisting the administration’s ongoing downsizing of the humanities and arts. It is necessary to collaborate with all levels of government to enshrine the right to culture formally in legislation, perhaps inspired by Canada’s Multiculturalism Act, or even incorporating it into the Constitution, as seen in Mexico. We invite you to support efforts aimed at reinstating and enhancing state and federal funding for educational institutions that are gateways to the arts, sciences, and knowledge pursuit.
While culture may initially seem a less critical right compared to due process or assembly, its suppression generates less outcry than incidents involving police or protests. Consequently, the ongoing diminishment of a hard-earned right risks fading from public awareness. Without opportunities to engage with and create culture, social cohesion erodes, community involvement diminishes, and economic vigor declines. In the absence of cultural engagement, our abilities for self-governance deteriorate, local communities weaken, and our aspirations for intellectual and emotional fulfillment become overshadowed by mediocrity.
