By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by 51 humanities councils across the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia in collaboration with local partners. Together, these programs explore 250 years of the nation’s cultural life and imagine its shared future. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
Federation Statement on Passage of Level Funding for NEH and Humanities Councils
On January 15, the Senate passed the 2026 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which includes level funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the humanities councils—$207 million for the NEH, with $65 million of that budget allocated to the 56 state and territorial humanities councils. The bill will now go to the President for his signature.
Save the Date: Humanities on the Hill 2026
Humanities on the Hill (HoH) is a three-day event taking place in Washington, DC during March 3-5, 2026 that brings together humanities councils from all over the greater United States.
Crisis Continues for Humanities Councils as Appropriated Funds Remain in Limbo
This network is critical to the cultural health of states and territories, yet councils are having to take unprecedented steps to survive.
Federation of State Humanities Councils Granted Preliminary Injunction in Lawsuit Against NEH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Hannah Hethmon, Communications Manager, Federation of State Humanities Councils (hhethmon@statehumanities.org) FEDERATION OF STATE HUMANITIES COUNCILS GRANTED PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION IN LAWSUIT AGAINST NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE … Read more
Federation of State Humanities Councils and Oregon Humanities File Lawsuit against NEH and DOGE Alleging Illegal Termination of Grants to 56 State and Jurisdictional Humanities Councils
Media Contact: Hannah Hethmon, Communications Manager, Federation of State Humanities Councils hhethmon@statehumanities.org or connect@statehumanities.org Federation of State Humanities Councils and Oregon Humanities File Lawsuit against NEH and DOGE Alleging Illegal … Read more
Federation Statement on NEA Grant Terminations
The Federation of State Humanities Councils (Federation) is deeply troubled by news that numerous grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) have been terminated without substantive explanation. The … Read more
Trump Proposes Elimination of National Endowment for the Humanities, Jeopardizing Local Cultural Programs Nationwide
The move would effectively defund state humanities councils, which provide vital programs and community grants in every state and territory and generate private investment in local economies. (Media Contact: Hannah … Read more
Mellon Foundation Commits $15 Million in Emergency Funding to Stabilize Humanities Councils Following Devastating Federal Funding Cuts
This investment by the Mellon Foundation in the 56 state and territorial humanities councils follows the sudden cancellation of their federal operating grants earlier this month. April 29, 2025 – … Read more
Media Coverage of Cuts to NEH and the Humanities Councils
[Updated 6/5/2025] On April 2, the National Endowment for the Humanities—acting under the direction of the Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency—abruptly terminated all federal funding for humanities councils. The loss … Read more
Cuts to NEH and Humanities Councils: What Hawaii and the Territories Will Lose
Jump to: American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands On Monday, March 31, the Federation of State Humanities Councils learned that DOGE (Department … Read more
Cuts to NEH and Humanities Councils: What New England and the Mid-Atlantic Will Lose
Jump to Your State: Connecticut | Delaware | District of Columbia | New Jersey | Maryland | Maine | New Hampshire | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | Vermont | Virginia … Read more
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