“States Push back Against Reduction in Humanities Grants by Trump Administration”
Following the 1995 bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, a grant was used to preserve the stories of survivors. Similarly, another grant supported the recording of oral histories from survivors of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre. Over the last 50 years, state-run Oklahoma Humanities has distributed $42 million to support initiatives such as veterans centers, public schools, and rural communities. However, this support came to an end this week with a termination letter from the Trump administration.
Caroline Lowery, the executive director of Oklahoma Humanities, emphasized the importance of their funding in sustaining the cultural and educational infrastructure of the state. She expressed concerns that the absence of their support would have a significant impact when it is too late. This week, more than a thousand National Endowment for the Humanities grants were revoked by the administration, including grants that have long been provided to state humanities councils.
As part of President Trump’s and Elon Musk’s efforts to reduce the government’s size, the agency has sent approximately 70% of its staff on administrative leave while considering downsizing. The termination of grants has affected various projects, including the National History Day competition that engages over half a million students annually.
The American Federation of Government Employees criticized the cuts, highlighting the detrimental impact on funding for museums, libraries, and researchers working to preserve the American story. Despite the NEH employees facing removal and funding cuts for grantees, the NEH did not provide a response.
The White House defends the cutbacks as necessary to reduce waste and improve efficiency across the government. However, the abrupt termination of funding has left organizations like Oklahoma Humanities struggling to continue their vital work in preserving the state’s history and culture for future generations. Lowery expressed her dismay at losing the grant, emphasizing the agency’s dedication to serving the people of Oklahoma and the importance of their work in all aspects of the state.
With uncertainty looming over the future of humanities grants, organizations like Oklahoma Humanities are left in limbo, unsure of how to proceed without the crucial funding that supports their impactful projects.
Before being able to spend the funds, National History Day had to raise money through private investments. This year, they received just under $1 million from the federal government. “I don’t just receive a blank check from the federal government. I come from a very conservative state, and these are my taxpayer dollars too. This investment has been supported by Oklahoma lawmakers and citizens for over 50 years, turning a small portion of the federal budget into millions for the state,” said Lowery.
Cathy Gorn, the executive director, mentioned that the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has always been a valuable partner to National History Day, not only financially but also in helping the organization grow from a local Ohio contest to a national competition involving more than 500,000 students. This competition allows students to conduct original history research projects that deepen their understanding of their nation’s past and their place in the world.
Despite facing termination of grants totaling $650,000 and $200,000, History Day is striving to continue its programs with the help of private contributions. However, the loss of NEH funding could have a significant impact on heritage preservation, access to museum exhibitions, and the availability of resources for students’ learning across the country.
Stephen Kidd, the Executive Director of the National Humanities Alliance, emphasized the importance of NEH funding in supporting organizations that may be overlooked by private donors, ensuring the preservation of heritage and providing educational resources for communities nationwide. NEH’s mission is to make humanities accessible to all communities, helping them preserve their cultural treasures and histories.
“Examining the essence of humanity and gaining insight into the historical context of our societies enables us to better comprehend our current situation,” he remarked. Kidd mentioned that the Alliance is still in the process of assessing the extent of the grant terminations, estimating that over 1,000 grants have been affected. The cuts appear to be arbitrary, encompassing a wide range of projects, including those beneficial to veterans.
NEH grants are typically divided into grants for state humanities councils and grants for individuals or institutions. Nathalie Hester, a former grant recipient representing the University of Oregon, emphasized the significant impact of humanities funding, despite being relatively modest in amount. These grants support essential resources such as computers, travel expenses, and interviews, contributing to community projects, local libraries, museum exhibitions, and digital archives accessible to all Americans.
Dr. Tru Leverette, recipient of a $100,000 NEH grant for the “Documenting Black Jacksonville: The Viola Muse Digital Edition” project, explores student drawings featured in Viola Muse’s writings. The NEH also provides funding for museums, libraries, preservation efforts, historical projects, and media initiatives through a competitive application process.
Receiving an NEH grant is a significant career milestone, as highlighted by Terrance Peterson, who received a termination letter affecting his research on a French internment camp. Peterson’s work, focusing on detention practices, was supported by the NEH to allow him time and resources for writing a book. With his grant abruptly terminated, Peterson faces setbacks in his research progress and teaching commitments, emphasizing the profound impact of these grant cancellations on scholars and their work.
