Just in time for Independence Day, The Creative Coalition has released a stirring new public service announcement starring Iain Armitage (“Young Sheldon”) and written by Emmy-nominated television visionary Bill Prady (“The Big Bang Theory”). The PSA is a timely and impassioned call to protect one of the pillars of American greatness: our nation’s commitment to the arts.
At a moment when foundational freedoms and civic values are under pressure, this campaign reminds us that the arts are not an extra — they are essential. Through the lens of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the PSA highlights the everyday impact of federal arts funding — from youth orchestras in Kentucky, to Indigenous arts programs in Oklahoma, to rural arts education across all 50 states.
“As someone who has grown up in the arts, I’ve seen how the NEA creates real opportunities in communities everywhere,” said Armitage. “The arts are the soul of our country. They connect us, inspire us, and reflect who we are. Without them, America loses a vital part of itself.”
The PSA underscores that NEA funding isn’t just about creativity — it’s also about economic strength, education, and national pride. In towns big and small, NEA grants plant the seeds that grow community theaters, festivals, galleries, and arts education programs — igniting local economies and enriching lives.
“At a time when division feels louder than unity, the arts bring us back to what connects us. The NEA empowers artists and communities to tell their stories — to reflect, to challenge, to heal,” said Tim Daly, President of The Creative Coalition. “Supporting the arts is supporting democracy itself. It’s not just a cultural investment; it’s a patriotic act.”
This Creative Coalition PSA is a rallying cry to all Americans and policymakers alike: in these urgent times, we must not let the creative legacy of this country be diminished. Our voices, our stories, our art are what make America strong, resilient, and proud.
“The arts are not a luxury — they are a lifeline to who we are as a people and as a nation,” said Robin Bronk, CEO of The Creative Coalition. “Through NEA support, we see communities thrive, cultures flourish, and futures born. This PSA is a powerful reminder that federal funding for the arts isn’t about entertainment — it’s about equity, opportunity, and preserving the soul of America.”
The Creative Coalition is proud to feature these outstanding community arts programs in the PSA:
- Sitka Fine Arts Camp, Sitka, AK
- The Dance Foundation, Homewood, AL
- Louisville Orchestra, Louisville, KY
- Shreveport Opera, Shreveport, LA
- Camden Film Festival, Camden, ME
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Living Traditions Festival, Salt Lake City, UT
- Southern Utah Museum of Art, Cedar City, UT
- Augusta Heritage Center, Elkins, WV
- RiffRaff Arts Collective, Princeton, WV
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