DANVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) — Pioneer Playhouse, Kentucky's longest-running outdoor theater, is facing significant funding cuts as the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) withdraws many of its grants.
The move comes as a result of new priorities established by the Trump administration.
For over 76 years, Pioneer Playhouse has provided cultural enrichment to the community, but it’s not only its audience that benefits.
The theater reaches Northpoint Training Center, a medium-security prison, through the "Voices Inside" program, which focuses on creative writing and performance techniques for inmates.
Robby Henson, director of the program, explained that since its inception 16 years ago, volunteers have traveled to the prison nearly every week to help inmates develop their skills and self-esteem, preparing them to reenter society.
“This program helps boost their self-esteem and improves their communication skills,” Henson said. “All of that is important when they go outside the razor wire.”
Throughout the years, the theater has received consistent funding from the NEA to support its outreach, with a $25,000 grant awarded in December.
However, last week, Pioneer Playhouse learned that their application was withdrawn as part of what the NEA described as “a new direction in furtherance of the administration's agenda.” Pioneer Playhouse is one of many organizations across the country to receive the news last week.
“I'm just saying, we're in Danville, Kentucky and we feel these changes, and it's making a negative impact on a 16-year-old program,” said Henson.
His sister, Heather Henson, managing director of the theater, added, “Bigger than that, we also receive money from the Kentucky Arts Council, and we're a 76-year-old non-profit. If all of that funding goes away, Pioneer Playhouse might go away.”
The Hensons worry about the theater they’ve poured their hearts into. They also worry about the countless other arts organizations facing similar fates.
“I think we'll just try to limp along,” said Robby. “But the NEA funding makes all the difference in the world.”
It’s unclear how many organization's grants have been eliminated. The Hensons plan to appeal the withdrawal of their application.
