2 April 2025
This week we learned that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has recommended drastic cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), including reducing staff by up to 80% and potentially canceling grants issued under the Biden administration.
These cuts would make it impossible for the agency to fulfill its statutory mission, and devastate state humanities councils and cultural institutions that rely on NEH funding
Advocates can take action in just a few minutes here >>
Often referred to as the “sister” agency to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the NEH connects Americans in every state with our nation’s rich history and culture. The South Carolina Arts Alliance supports the mission of the National Endowment for the Humanities and we call upon elected leaders to ensure that the agency is able to fulfill their mission and mandate set by Congress.
From the National Humanities Alliance:
The NEH provides crucial support for cultural organizations. Through grants to libraries, museums, historic sites, educational institutions, and other cultural organizations—and its partnership with the state and jurisdictional humanities councils—the NEH:
- Enriches K-12 education
- Provides lifelong learning opportunities for a range of audiences
- Fosters community conversations
- Ensures rural access to high-quality humanities programs
- Supports Veterans
- Promotes civic education
- Supports cutting-edge research
- Celebrates local histories
- Preserves our cultural heritage
- Fosters local tourism economies
NEH funding and NEH staff are essential to this work. For 60 years, NEH staff members have helped grantees navigate government systems and develop strong proposals that bring high-quality humanities programs to American communities. NEH staff ensure that small and large organizations alike have access to federal funds. Moreover, they are tireless in their efforts to ensure that U.S. tax dollars are spent well.
Cutting NEH funding directly harms communities in every state and contributes to the destruction of our shared cultural heritage. Cutting NEH staff who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their positions guts the NEH itself. This puts unnecessary barriers in the way of the agency’s mission to distribute federal dollars to American communities.
Contact your legislator here >>
Let your Members of Congress know that you support the National Endowment for the Humanities!
