Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema needs your support—here’s how you can help
Reading time: 3 minutes
Over the weekend, Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema was notified that their National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants had been withdrawn and terminated. With under four months left until the 27th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival, Birmingham’s local cinema needs your support more than ever.
Read on for more information and ways you can support Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema.
Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema’s National Endowment for the Arts grant rescinded
In 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) was created as an independent agency of the federal government by an act of U.S. Congress. A sub-agency of the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities, the NEA “funds, promotes, and strengthens the creative capacity of our communities by providing all Americans with opportunities for arts participation.”
As part of its fiscal year 2025 grants, the NEA awarded 1,127 Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) awards to qualified organizations across the country. Birmingham’s Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema received a $25K grant, which would have supported year-round educational programming and the beloved annual Sidewalk Film Festival.
Unfortunately, Sidewalk—along with hundreds of other arts organizations across the country—had its grants withdrawn and terminated on Friday, May 3rd.
“Sidewalk Film Festival’s NEA Grant was withdrawn last night (something we were awarded in fall 2024 and told to publicly announce in January 2025).
We, like many, many, many, arts organizations made our annual budget with those promised dollars in mind – and now only 4 months away from the Fest the funds are snatched away.
If ever there was a time to support your local and regional arts organizations – it’s NOW.”
Chloe Cook, Executive Director, Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema
How you can support Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema
With a little under four months until Sidewalk Film Festival, the local nonprofit organization needs your support more than ever. Here’s how you can help Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema:
- Purchase tickets to individual film nights and events like the 27th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival.
- Make a donation or become a member of Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema.
- Spread the word about Sidewalk’s upcoming screenings, events and organizational needs on social media and through word-of-mouth.
- Contact local officials and advocate for support for Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema.
Do you know of other local organizations affected by NEA grant cuts? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!
