A warm welcome and congratulations to Lonnie G. Bunch III, the Smithsonian Institution’s new director! Mr. Bunch is the first historian appointed to this position and marks a “significant tilt toward the humanities for the nearly 175-year-old Smithsonian.”

The House Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2020 Interior Appropriations bill in a party-line vote of 30-21.  The bill includes $167.5 million for the NEH and $51 million for the Federal/State Partnership, representing an increase of $12.5 million for the agency and $3 million for the councils, along with $6 million “to advance cross-cutting NEH initiatives.

Are we more divided than ever? Well no, argued BackStory’s Ed Ayers, Brian Balogh, and Joanne Freeman on May 21 in a special live event, “Divided States of America,” at the U.S. Senate Russell Building.

House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee marks up FY 2020 appropriations bill with $167.5 million each for NEH and NEA, an increase of $12.5 million over FY 2019 funding level. Other agencies that saw increases include National Park Service and the Smithsonian Institution.

As the president of the Federation of State Humanities Councils, I can attest to the hunger for the content and approaches of the humanities that is so evident in communities throughout the country.

View the different registration rates for members and non-members, teachers, students, session coordinators and panelists here. Also available are day rates. To get the best deal, be sure to book by September 30, 2019!

Learn more and book your room at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the National Humanities Conference Hotel. Room block ranges from November 5-10, but is expected to sell out quickly. Contact 1-808-949-4321 for any questions regarding your reservation. We look forward to seeing you in November!

The Federation of State Humanities Councils and the entire humanities community suffered an inestimable loss this past week with the passing of Rob Vaughan.

Find everything you need to know for Humanities on the Hill 2019. From links to advocacy and event resources to hotel and app information, here’s your one-stop spot for HoH information. Questions? Email events@statehumanities.org.

The 2019 Advocacy Handbook for Humanities on the Hill, which takes place March 5-7, 2019, is now available.

Public awareness resources, including eleven briefing documents and three animated videos are available for councils to customize, download, and use in any outreach efforts. These resources were developed as part of the Mellon-funded “Humanities in American Life” initiative.

Now accepting session proposals for the 2019 National Humanities Conference taking place in Honolulu, HI, November 7-10, 2019. Deadline to submit is Friday, February 22, 2019.

Two Schwartz Prizes Awards were announced at the 2018 National Humanities Conference Schwartz Prize Awards Presentation. The two awards went to Mississippi Humanities Council for its “Racial Equity Grant Program,” and to Oregon Humanities for “This Land.”

The Federation of State Humanities Councils and the National Humanities Alliance are pleased to announce that registration for the 2018 National Humanities Conference is now open.

The 2018 Annual Business Meeting of the Federation House of Delegates will take place on Saturday, November 10, from 1:30 to 2:30 pm, at the New Orleans Marriott.