Staff at the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) were unexpectedly placed on paid administrative leave late Thursday night. This decision affects about 80% of the agency’s 145 employees, including key communications staff and program officers. The move comes just two days after the NEH notified 56 state and jurisdiction humanities councils that their federal grants were being terminated.
The NEH has not provided any comments regarding these developments. However, a senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, shared that a team from the Department of Government Efficiency had been visiting NEH offices recently, increasing pressure on the agency.
Earlier this week, staff were informed that significant layoffs would occur, along with cuts to grant programs. This news was first reported by The New York Times. Nearly half of the NEH’s budget typically goes to humanities councils across the United States, supporting a range of projects including museums, libraries, and historical preservation efforts.
The American Federation of Government Employees Local 3403, which represents many NEH employees, condemned the cuts. They described the approach to both staff and funding as "un-American and unacceptable." The cancellation of grants has left many humanities councils in shock, as they rely on this federal funding for crucial projects. For instance, the Oklahoma Humanities Council highlighted that it supports important initiatives like preserving oral histories from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
Caroline Lowery, the executive director of the Oklahoma Humanities Council, expressed concern that the loss of funding would erase the ability to share and preserve vital parts of history. She emphasized that support for these projects spans across political lines and is backed by elected representatives.
Similarly, Christina Barr, executive director of Nevada Humanities, noted that the funding cuts would not only hinder their work but also negatively impact local economies that benefit from arts and culture programming.
In addition to the NEH, employees at the Institute of Museum and Library Services were also placed on administrative leave this week. Erin Harkey, CEO of Americans for the Arts, described the actions against both agencies as a significant threat to American culture. She pointed out that the arts and cultural sectors are crucial to the economy, contributing $1.2 trillion and supporting millions of jobs.
As the situation unfolds, the future of the NEH and its funding remains uncertain, leaving many to wonder about the implications for humanities projects nationwide.