The article examines the diverse range of initiatives supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the effects of recent changes to its funding allocations. The NEH has historically financed various projects aimed at preserving and promoting the humanities, including historical preservation, museums, literary events, media productions, and community-based research. It has backed notable endeavors like Ken Burns’ “The Civil War” and the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, as well as efforts to preserve the Tlingit language and highlight the Mississippi Blues Trail.
Lauren Tilton, a professor at the University of Richmond, emphasized the importance of the humanities in understanding and shaping human experiences. Her project at the Center for Liberal Arts and AI, funded by an NEH grant of $491,863, aimed to study artificial intelligence’s impact on society. This center was set to collaborate with 15 colleges across the southeast to examine AI’s societal implications. However, the project faced a setback as NEH funds were withdrawn unexpectedly, affecting over a thousand grants nationwide. Tilton expressed her frustration, noting that these developments were contrary to previous government initiatives on AI.
Also affected by the funding cuts, R. Chris Davis, a history professor at Lone Star College, highlighted that his project aimed to develop courses that engaged students by linking historical events with modern themes. The termination of the grant put this initiative in uncertainty, which he found disappointing for his students, many of whom juggle full-time jobs and caregiving responsibilities.
Filmmaker Yuriko Gamo Romer also faced challenges due to the revoked grant funding. Her documentary, “Diamond Diplomacy,” which explores U.S.-Japan relations through baseball, was partly financed by an NEH grant. With the remaining grant money cut, Romer acknowledged the challenges of funding documentary projects and expressed her commitment to completing the film.
Both Tilton and Davis are seeking alternative funding sources to continue their projects. The article further discusses broader criticisms of federal funding for arts and culture, with some arguing it benefits mostly affluent individuals. Despite these criticisms, NEH and similar organizations have prioritized grants for underserved communities. The future of several such initiatives remains uncertain, following shifts in funding priorities under the current administration.
