CREATIVE Act of 2025 Proposes $700M Annual Boost for Arts Jobs and Facilities, Prioritizing Rural and Underserved Areas

The “Capital, Repairs, and Employment for Art Talent to Improve Visibility Everywhere Act of 2025,” or the CREATIVE Act, sets up a serious new grant program aimed at injecting cash and stability into the nonprofit arts sector. Administered by the Secretary of Commerce, this bill authorizes $700 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to fund jobs and infrastructure for museums, theaters, and other arts organizations. Essentially, the government is looking to treat the arts as a key part of the economic engine, focusing on job creation for artists and staff.

The Three Buckets of Funding

This isn't a one-size-fits-all handout; the bill creates three distinct grant types, each with its own cap and timeline. First, you have Hiring and Production Grants (up to $5 million over five years), which are straightforward—pay artists, performers, and staff to create and put on shows, exhibitions, or workshops. This is the direct lifeline for the working creative professional. Second, there are Construction and Acquisition Grants (up to $3 million over five years) for organizations that need a new physical space, like buying a building or building a new theater. Finally, Maintenance and Improvement Grants (up to $3 million over three years) are for fixing up the existing facilities, like finally replacing that leaky roof or upgrading the sound system.

The Job Guarantee Catch

If an organization takes federal money for construction, acquisition, or maintenance, there's a significant catch: they must commit to providing “gainful employment” for professional performers and personnel after the grant period is over. This is the bill’s way of ensuring these facility upgrades aren't just one-off projects but actually lead to sustainable jobs in the community. For a small community theater, this means they can't just fix the building and then go dark; they need a solid plan to keep the lights on and the people working. Organizations also have to attest that they will not mess with existing collective bargaining agreements and will stick to strong labor standards.

Who Gets Priority and Why

While any tax-exempt nonprofit arts organization can apply, the Secretary of Commerce has a clear priority list designed to spread the wealth beyond the major metropolitan hubs. A significant chunk of the money—up to 25%—is reserved specifically for rural communities. Priority also goes to entities that are struggling financially, are located in areas with limited arts access, or are proposing to employ personnel and expand programming from underrepresented populations. If you live in a small town where the local theater is falling apart, or if you're an artist from a diverse background looking for a job, this bill is specifically designed to help your corner of the world.

The Transparency and Accountability Check

To get the money, applicants have to jump through several hoops, including describing the "perceived benefits" to their community and providing an assessment of community access gaps. This is where things get a little subjective, relying on the organization's ability to sell its vision. More importantly, every grantee must report annually on how the funds were used, how they increased community access, and how they created jobs. The bill mandates that the Secretary must make these reports publicly available on the Economic Development Administration website. This transparency is key for taxpayers, who are authorizing $700 million a year for this program, to see exactly where the money is going and what impact it’s having on local employment and cultural life.