The National Endowment for the Arts, one of the nation's largest source of monetary assistance to the arts, announced on Monday plans to slash substantial funding for PBS programs, including Independent Lens and POV. These cuts, which take effect April 25, would take away over $1 million in production assistance from not just the aforementioned shows, but also to American Masters, Art21, and Great Performances.
This is not the first hit Independent Lens and POV have suffered this year. Just one month ago, we learned that Independent Lens suffered a major drop in viewership after being switched from their regular night on Tuesdays to a new time on Thursdays. In March, we partnered with Kartemquin Films in an attempt to remind PBS of the importance of independent programming on their station. We await a decision on this issue from PBS after their annual meeting in mid-May.
You can read more about this decision below:
N.E.A. Is Said to Cut Aid to Arts Programs on PBS -New York Times
N.E.A. Will Slash Funding to 'Independent Lens' and 'POV' -Indiewire
CBC, NFB announce major cutbacks -The Gazette