Due to recent executive orders by the Trump administration to downsize the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Parrish Art Museum reported April 24 that it has lost more than $140,000 in federal funding that supported its education programs and ACCESS Parrish, an initiative that creates artistic learning experiences for people with special needs, including those with Parkinson’s Disease.
The museum reports that its education programs serve more than 8,000 students, residents, teachers, and community members each year, with ACCESS Parrish annually serving an additional 2,000 people who have cognitive and physical disabilities, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, autism, and Alzheimer’s.
Federal funding also supports the annual Student Exhibition, a 72-year tradition at the Parrish that presents the work of more than 1,000 young artists from five school districts on the East End, and the Teen Council program, which provides students with opportunities to learn about careers in the arts from working artists and museum professionals.
“While we are doing all that we can to protect these programs, the sudden loss of funding means that we may need to eliminate or reduce the frequency of offerings for things like art therapy, Dance for Parkinson’s, Drumming and Painting for Alzheimer’s, Summer Camps, School Programs, After School Programs, Art in Action, Healing Through Art, Pottery for Parkinson’s and more vital programming for children, individuals, and their caregivers,” according to a statement from The Parrish. “This loss is unexpected and significant, to say the least, and we need your help to sustain these vital programs that serve our most vulnerable residents and communities.”
“At the Parrish, we believe that we have a collective responsibility to fuel the spirit and enrich the lives of all families, individuals and children in our community—and we are working to raise funds now to close this critical funding gap and ensure that ACCESS Parrish and the Museum’s life-changing education programs remain fully operational and accessible to the Long Island community,” they added.
“These programs are not just art experiences—they are lifelines. They provide moments of joy, connection, and dignity for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia,” said Lauren Vlachos, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center. “They offer caregivers and families a rare opportunity to feel supported, seen, and not alone in their journey. These programs are bright spots in their routines—places where creativity and compassion come together to uplift spirits and nurture community. The loss of this funding is more than a budget issue; it’s a human one.”
Find out more about how to help The Parrish.
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