Carson Elrod: Fighting for the Future of the Arts
Meet Carson Elrod — actor, activist, and storyteller whose impact reaches far beyond the stage. As co-founder of Be An #ArtsHero and Arts Workers United, Carson has become a leading voice for the 5.2 million arts workers across the U.S., using his platform to advocate for the essential—and transformational—role of the arts in our society.
In this preview, you’ll hear a glimpse of his conversation with Anna Robb as they explore his path from Kansas to NYU, his transition into national advocacy, and his thoughts on the future of live performance and the power of solidarity.
Enjoy this sneak peek into their conversation—and don’t forget to tune in next week for the full-length episode!
What’s the current state of the arts in America, and how are arts workers faring in the U.S. economy?
The arts and culture sector contributes 4.5% to the U.S. GDP, employs 5.2 million people, and generates over $1 trillion in value. Despite this, there’s minimal federal support for the sector. In contrast to other countries like Canada and Germany—which invest billions in arts and culture—the U.S. contributes only around $207 million through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). That funding is distributed across all 435 congressional districts, making it spread very thin. Arts workers are often seen through the outdated lens of the “starving artist,” despite being major economic and cultural contributors. Recent actions by the current administration—including efforts to dismantle agencies like the NEA, NEH (National Endowment for the Humanities), and IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services)—have further threatened the industry’s stability.
Was this decline in support a result of the pandemic, or was it already in motion before COVID-19?
The erosion of federal arts support has a long history, dating back to political battles in the 1980s. However, the pandemic exposed the fragility of the system and made the problem impossible to ignore. The entire live performance industry collapsed overnight, and arts workers were largely excluded from initial relief efforts. While airlines received tens of billions, the arts sector got only $75 million in the CARES Act. The crisis forced many artists and organizations to pivot into advocacy. Carson co-founded Be An #ArtsHero to amplify arts workers’ voices and demand equitable federal support. This collective pressure helped lead to important legislation, like the $16 billion Save Our Stages Act, which expanded to include venues like Broadway theaters and museums.
What inspired Carson to step into arts advocacy and co-found Be An #ArtsHero and Arts Workers United?
Carson’s mother, a law professor and child advocate, instilled in him a sense of responsibility to speak up for those without a voice. Over his career, he often stood up against mistreatment in rehearsal rooms. That evolved into broader labor advocacy, starting with the Fair Wage OnStage campaign, which fought for sustainable wages for New York actors. When the pandemic hit, Carson lost three jobs in 24 hours and relied on federal unemployment benefits to survive. Seeing how badly arts workers were neglected in national relief efforts, he and a few peers launched Be An #ArtsHero. Their strategy was grassroots and fast-moving—creating state-specific graphics, mobilizing celebrities like Billy Porter and Cher, and conducting direct outreach to lawmakers. Their advocacy proved effective, and they were told by multiple Senate offices to “keep doing what you’re doing.”
How can everyday people support arts workers and cultural funding in the U.S.?
Public support is vital. Anyone who values arts and culture should write, call, or petition their representatives to protect and expand funding for the NEA, NEH, and IMLS. Congressional offices track these messages and weigh them by effort—handwritten letters, for example, carry more influence than a simple petition signature. Carson urges listeners to pressure lawmakers not only to restore funding but to rehire staff and reestablish functioning agencies. With thousands of grants recently canceled and top NEA directors resigning, federal support is in a crisis. Community involvement can help reverse course. His organization’s website, artsworkersunited.com, lists legislation that individuals can support directly.
What’s Carson’s vision for the future of federal arts support in the U.S.?
While the current situation is bleak, Carson remains hopeful. If current agencies collapse, the U.S. could rebuild a stronger structure from the ground up—possibly forming a centralized Department of Arts and Culture with a Cabinet-level Secretary who reports directly to the President. This could provide a stable, long-term voice for arts in federal policy. In the meantime, Carson calls for an “Arts New Deal”—a sweeping omnibus bill that unifies existing legislation into a transformative investment in the creative economy. He dreams of a future where the arts are not a political football but a vital pillar of American life. With bipartisan support already building in Congress, especially post-pandemic, he believes that with continued pressure, the arts community can reshape the nation’s priorities for good.
Key Insights from the Podcast
- The arts are economically vital. They generate over $1 trillion annually in the U.S., yet receive a fraction of that value in federal support.
- Federal support is under threat. Agencies like the NEA and NEH are facing potential elimination under the current administration’s budget proposals.
- Advocacy matters. Grassroots movements like Be An #ArtsHero and Arts Workers United have successfully influenced major legislation, including Save Our Stages.
- Every voice counts. Writing to representatives, signing petitions, and spreading awareness are powerful tools in shaping arts policy.
- The future is rebuildable. Even in a worst-case scenario, there’s potential to establish more unified, permanent federal support for the arts—perhaps even a Department of Arts and Culture.
Main Image: Courtesy of Carson Elrod
Editor's Note: At StageLync, an international platform for the performing arts, we celebrate the diversity of our writers' backgrounds. We recognize and support their choice to use either American or British English in their articles, respecting their individual preferences and origins. This policy allows us to embrace a wide range of linguistic expressions, enriching our content and reflecting the global nature of our community.
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