07-05-2025
Big Ears Music Festival to lose $50K in grant funding
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The National Endowment for the Arts has canceled $50,000 in grants for Big Ears Music Festival, said Ashley Capps, the festival's executive and artistic director.
Capps said they 'are hopeful we can appeal as the work for one of the grants is already completed. The other is still in progress.'
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Created in 2009, Big Ears is Knoxville's largest music festival. This year's festival was held in March. Performances are held at various venues throughout the city, including historic theatres, churches, museums, clubs, and refurbished warehouses.
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The news comes as President Donald Trump's new budget calls for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts. Many organizations have received notifications of rejected or rescinded grants according to AP News.
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