Last week, I read a message from Allison Halstead Reid, Executive Director of Vashon Center for the Arts (VCA), announcing that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has rescinded two grants previously awarded to support the Vashon Artists in Schools (VAIS) program. The loss totals $25,000, a significant cut to a program already operating on a modest budget.

This decision is more than a funding issue. It is a reminder of what’s at stake when national politics reach into our classrooms. According to the NEA, the reason for the withdrawal is that VAIS’s mission, bringing professional artists into schools to deliver multidisciplinary, inclusive residencies, no longer aligns with the current administration’s priorities.

That explanation reveals something deeper than budgetary constraint. It reflects a shift in national values and a troubling act of censorship. When a program like VAIS, grounded in creativity, equity, and artistic freedom, is deemed unworthy of public support, it sends a message: that the stories, voices, and identities of young people are less important when expressed through the arts. That is not the message we will send from the Vashon Island School District.

For over 36 years and since I started 7 years ago, VAIS has brought extraordinary local artists into our classrooms to collaborate with educators. Together, they create learning experiences that help students see the world and themselves through new and creative lenses. These aren’t “extras.” The arts are essential. They inspire joy, confidence, and belonging, especially for students who may not find themselves reflected in more traditional academic paths.

So where do we go from here?

First, we act with urgency. VCA is already working to close this year’s gap and plan for a future without NEA support. At VISD, we stand shoulder to shoulder with VCA and VAIS. We will collaborate to explore sustainable funding, advocate for support, and ensure students continue to benefit from this nationally recognized program.

Second, we call on our community. Vashon has always shown up for its schools, and this is another moment to do just that. Whether through donations, advocacy, or showing up at student performances and exhibits, your support matters now more than ever.

Finally, we reaffirm our values. This is not just about Vashon. It’s about a broader cultural moment in which creative expression is being sidelined and silenced. On this island, we choose another path. We believe the arts belong in our schools and we’ll keep showing up to make that belief real for every student.

Slade McSheehy is the superintendent of the Vashon Island School District.