In 2026, the United State of America is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to join this celebration and amplify the importance of arts and culture to our nation's past, present, and future.In addition to serving as an Ex-Officio member of the America250 Commission, the Arts Endowment is also part of the Freedom 250 Network, the public-private partnership leading the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.The celebration of this important milestone in our nation's history can be seen across the agency’s activities, from grantmaking to national initiatives.Celebrating America's 250th through Arts & Culture at the Great American State FairJune 25-July 10, 2026, at the National Mall in Washington, DCThrough daily programming at the Legacy Stage and in the American Canvas Pavilion, the Arts Endowment celebrated the rich history, culture, and heritage of the arts in our country with performances by a wide variety of artists, dancers, and musicians. In addition, the Arts Endowment created the free Passport to America, an interactive activity that encourages attendees to collect passport stamps at the different fair pavilions while discovering the stories, culture, and creativity that make the U.S. states and territories special. Learn more at arts.gov/GreatAmericanStateFair.
The winners of the Bookmark Design Challenge: Celebrating America’s 250th, Iris Zhang, Margaret McCaul, and Eden Pethel with Second Lady Usha Vance and Arts Endowment Chairman Mary Anne Carter. Photo by Mike Morgan Photography
Bookmark Design Challenge: Celebrating America’s 250thCongratulations to the winners of the Bookmark Design Challenge: Celebrating America’s 250th, a nationwide opportunity for students in grades K–8 to create original artwork reflecting what America means to them. The winning students will be recognized at a special event at the Great American State Fair, taking place June 25 through July 10, 2026. Visit our Bookmark Design Challenge webpage to download and print your own bookmarks! Grantmaking
America's Tapestry is a nationwide project bringing together volunteers to create embroidered panels highlighting overlooked stories of the American Revolution. This panel shows Rebecca Young, one of the first verified creators of an American flag, who supported the war effort by producing flags and other military supplies for the Pennsylvania forces. The Arts Endowment is supporting an exhibition of the panels at Seton Hill University. Photo courtesy of America’s Tapestry/Seton Hill University
Every year since 2021, the National Endowment for the Arts' Grants for Arts Projects funding opportunity has encouraged applications for projects that celebrate the nation’s rich artistic heritage and creativity by honoring the semiquincentennial of the United States of America.The Arts Endowment also offered two special grant opportunities tied to America's 250th anniversary:“Celebrating America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes": These 50 projects will take place throughout 2026 and will celebrate one of more of the national heroes listed in Executive Order 13978, “Building the National Garden of American Heroes”.“Celebrating the Nation’s 250th Birthday with Music from U.S. Military Bands”: This grant program recognizes the role military bands have played throughout American history, celebrating the nation’s spirit through a wide range of musical styles and genres. These 33 grants are supporting public-facing arts projects featuring performances and educational programming with U.S. military bands.Through the NEA’s Partnership Agreements with the nation’s state arts agencies, the NEA is also supporting additional America250-related projects taking place in communities across the nation.National InitiativesLeading up to and beyond the semiquincentennial, the National Endowment for the Arts' initiatives provide an opportunity to celebrate American stories.Programs for YouthThe Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge is an opportunity for high school students to develop and showcase musical compositions that could be a part of a musical theater production. For the 2025-2026 program, young songwriters submitted songs celebrating the rich tapestry of American stories showcasing their unique voices, imaginations, and musical sensibilities to help shape the future of this uniquely American art form.Poetry Out Loud is a dynamic poetry recitation competition for high school students that can help improve public speaking skills, build confidence, and grow their appreciation for poetry. For 2025-2026, Poetry Out Loud focused on poems that celebrate the rich tapestry of American history and culture.Programs for MilitaryCreative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network honors 250 years of military service by advancing the health and well-being of service members, veterans, caregivers, and families. The initiative integrates creative arts therapies into clinical care for military personnel and veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress, mild traumatic brain injury, and related psychological illnesses, and expands access to community arts engagement. Together, these efforts strengthen resilience, foster connection, and support full force readiness.Programs for Communities
Examples of posters submitted as part of the Freedom 250 City Art Poster Project.
Mayors’ Institute on City Design (MICD) brings together mayors and community design experts to solve the most critical planning and design challenges facing their cities. In celebration of America250, mayors and city leaders are invited to partner with local arts agencies, community organizations, and other nonprofits to create city art posters that celebrate local communities, city history, and civic and national pride that honor America250.The NEA Big Read is a grant program to support community reading programs designed around a single NEA Big Read book. In 2025-2026, all NEA Big Read grantees will host an event in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In 2026-2027, the NEA Big Read library will focus around books that celebrate America’s culture, history, and resilience through the eyes of its citizens.
