Boise Nonprofit, Open Arms Dance Project, Continues Inclusive, Anti-Bullying Programs Amid Cuts an
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BOISE, Idaho - IdaStar -- Boise nonprofit Open Arms Dance Project steps up to provide inclusive and anti-bullying programming amid humanities funding cuts and DEI squelching initiatives.

The inclusive and inter-generational dance company performs all over the Treasure Valley, from sidewalks to main stage auditoriums, and uses dance to teach acceptance. They also do outreach events at the Wassmuth Center and in schools.

"Our Upstanders program brings together groups who are unlike each other and connects them through dance and music," Artistic and Executive Director Megan Brandel said.

The programs create safe spaces for understanding and acceptance of differences and help to curb bullying, which can have a significant impact on mental health.

The humanities, including the arts, have long been touted as a way to foster compassion and perspective by providing opportunities to experience diverse perspectives and step into other people's shoes. Compassion, for self and others, has been linked to a person's health and experience of loneliness, according to a five-year study (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-021-01491-8) of adults.

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According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly a quarter of Idahoans already live with a mental illness. In addition, Idaho has one of the highest suicide rates in the country.

Recent funding changes may further impact these statistics.

In a recent letter to Idaho humanities nonprofits, including the Idaho Humanities Council and others, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced a reduction in funding for the NEH. The decision will result in reduced staff, cut funding, and rescinded grants for organizations that have already been awarded.

The DEI certificate mandate for K-12 public schools (https://www.kivitv.com/kuna/idaho-schools-waiting-for-guidance-as-nationwide-anti-dei-certification-threatens-federal-funding) may also remove curriculum, often delivered through reading and arts programs, that teaches acceptance and treating others with kindness from classrooms.

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Open Arms continues to operate its in-school programming and will host an event in May; however, funding changes are a stark sign of the fragility of their grant funding.

"It's nerve-wracking," Brandel said. "We count on grant funding to run our community performances and our school outreach programs."

Without funding, these performances and programs could disappear from the community.

"We're worried about what will happen next," Brandel said. "We're controlling what we can control by raising money and promoting our live performances."

They're not alone. Open Arms, as well as many arts and humanities nonprofits and organizations that provide safe, inclusive spaces and experiences, will be participating in Idaho Gives on Monday, April 28, to raise money to support their operations.

"Our hope is that people will be moved by experiencing our movement and join us to keep the arts and humanities alive and well in Boise and Idaho."