View source for National Endowment for the Humanities

{{short description|Agency of the US government supporting the humanities}}
{{redirect|NEH}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name     = National Endowment for the Humanities
| logo            = US-NEH-2010Logo.svg
| logo_width      = 200
| logo_caption    = Logo
| seal            = US-NEH-Seal.svg
| seal_width      = 170
| seal_caption    = Seal
| formed          = September 29, 1965
| preceding1      = 
| dissolved       = 
| superseding     = 
| jurisdiction    = [[Federal government of the United States]]
| employees       = 500 (2022)
| budget          = $207 million (2023)<ref name="Appropriations"/>
| headquarters    = [[Constitution Center (Washington, D.C.)|Constitution Center, Washington, D.C.]]
| chief1_name     = 
| chief1_position = 
| chief2_name     = 
| chief2_position = 
| parent_agency   = 
| child1_agency   = 
| website         = {{URL|https://www.neh.gov/|neh.gov}}
| footnotes       = 
}}

The '''National Endowment for the Humanities''' ('''NEH''') is an independent federal agency of the [[U.S.&nbsp;government]], established by the [https://www.neh.gov/about/history/national-foundation-arts-and-humanities-act-1965-pl-89-209 National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965] ({{USPL|89|209}}), dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the [[humanities]]. The NEH is housed in the [[Constitution Center (Washington, D.C.)|Constitution Center]] at 400 7th St SW, [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.neh.gov/about/visiting-neh | title=Visiting NEH | publisher=National Endowment for the Humanities |access-date=13 July 2014}}</ref> From 1979 to 2014, NEH was at 1100 [[Pennsylvania Avenue]], N.W., Washington, D.C., in the [[Old Post Office Pavilion|Nancy Hanks Center at the Old Post Office]].

==History and purpose==
The NEH provides grants for high-quality humanities projects to cultural institutions such as museums, archives, libraries, colleges, universities, public television, and radio stations, and to individual [[Scholasticism|scholars]].  According to its mission statement: "Because democracy demands wisdom, NEH serves and strengthens our republic by promoting excellence in the humanities and conveying the lessons of history to all Americans."<ref name="NEH-about">{{cite web|url=https://www.neh.gov/about|publisher=NEH|title=About}}</ref> 

The NEH was created in 1965 as a sub-agency of the [[National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities]], which today also includes the [[National Endowment for the Arts]], the [[Institute of Museum and Library Services]], and the [[Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities]].<ref name="NEH-history">{{cite web | url=http://www.neh.gov/about/history | title=How NEH Got Its Start | publisher=National Endowment for the Humanities | access-date=13 July 2014}}</ref> NEH was based upon recommendation of the National Commission on the Humanities, convened in 1963 with representatives from three US scholarly and educational associations, the [[Phi Beta Kappa Society]], the [[American Council of Learned Societies]] (ACLS), and the [[Council of Graduate Schools]].<ref name="NEH-history"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.neh.gov/about/history/timeline|title=NEH Timeline}}</ref>

The agencies stated purpose is to create incentives for excellent work in the humanities by:<blockquote>
* awarding grants that strengthen teaching and learning in the humanities in schools and colleges
* facilitate research and original scholarship
* provide opportunities for lifelong learning
* preserve and provide access to cultural and educational resources
* strengthen the institutional base of the humanities.<ref name="NEH-about" /> 
</blockquote>As part of its mandate to support humanities programs in every US state and territory, the agency supports a network of private, nonprofit affiliates, the [[list of state humanities councils|56 humanities councils in the states and territories of the United States]].

As of April 1, 2025, the agency was reportedly asked by the [[Department of Government Efficiency]] to reduce their staffing by up to 80%.  <ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/arts/trump-doge-federal-cuts-humanities.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=g&pvid=8E07F9C3-AA77-46E4-B1B8-64C6A88EEF8A |first1=Jennifer |last1=Schuessler | title= DOGE Demands Deep Cuts at Humanities Endowment | newspaper=The New York Times | date=1 April 2025 | access-date=2 April 2025}}</ref> At least 1,200 Biden-era grants were cancelled the following week, including funding to [[List of state humanities councils in the United States|state and jurisdictional humanities councils]] and a large percentage of staff put on administrative leave. <ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2025/04/07/neh-grants-canceled-cuts/ | title= At least 1,200 grants canceled as NEH cuts target humanities across U.S. | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=7 April 2025 | access-date=10 April 2025}}</ref>

===Jim Leach's tenure as NEH chair (2009–2013)===
The ninth NEH chair was [[Jim Leach]]. President Obama nominated the former Iowa congressman, a Republican, to chair the NEH on June 3, 2009;<ref>Robin Pogrebin, [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/arts/04neh.html "Obama Names a Republican to Lead the Humanities Endowment"], ''[[New York Times]]'', June 4, 2009.</ref> the Senate confirmed his appointment in August 2009.<ref name="Landesman">Robin Pogrebin, [http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/07/rocco-landesman-confirmed-as-chairman-of-the-national-endowment-for-the-arts/ "Rocco Landesman Confirmed as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts"], ''New York Times'', August 7, 2009.</ref> Leach began his term as the NEH chair on August 12, 2009, and stepped down in May 2013. Between November 2009 and May 2011, Leach conducted the American "Civility Tour" to call attention to the need to restore reason and civility back into politics, a goal that in his words was "central to the humanities." Leach visited each of the 50 states, speaking at venues ranging from university and museum lecture halls to hospitals for veterans, to support the return of non-emotive, civil exchange and rational consideration of other viewpoints. According to Leach, "Little is more important...than establishing an ethos of thoughtfulness and decency of expression in the public square. Words reflect emotion as well as meaning. They clarify—or cloud—thought and energize action, sometimes bringing out the better angels in our nature, sometimes lesser instincts."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/29/AR2009112902014.html |first1=E.J. |last1=Dionne Jr. | title=E.J. Dionne Welcomes Jim Leach's Call for Civility | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=30 November 2009 | access-date=3 November 2012}}</ref>

===William Adams' tenure as NEH chair (2014–2017)===
The tenth chair of the NEH was [[William Drea Adams|William Adams]], who served from 2014 to 2017. President Obama nominated Adams on April 4, 2014;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.neh.gov/news/press-release/2014-04-10 | title=President Obama Announces his Intent to Nominate Dr. William "Bro" Adams as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities |website=National Endowment for the Humanities |date=April 10, 2014 | access-date=11 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/254802741.html | title=Obama nominates William 'Bro' Adams to be next head of National Endowment for the Humanities | work=Minneapolis Star Tribune | date=10 April 2014 | access-date=11 April 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413145326/http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/254802741.html | archive-date=13 April 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.colby.edu/news/2014/04/10/adams-tapped-by-president-obama/ | title=Adams Tapped by President Obama | work=News | date=10 April 2014 | publisher=Colby College | access-date=14 April 2014}}</ref> Adams was confirmed by the Senate in a voice vote on July 9, 2014.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/senate-confirms-head-of-us-humanities-endowment/2014/07/09/133baaf6-0796-11e4-9ae6-0519a2bd5dfa_story.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716072524/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/senate-confirms-head-of-us-humanities-endowment/2014/07/09/133baaf6-0796-11e4-9ae6-0519a2bd5dfa_story.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=16 July 2014 | title=Senate confirms head of US Humanities Endowment | newspaper=The Washington Post | access-date=13 July 2014}}</ref> Adams appointed Margaret (Peggy) Plympton as the deputy NEH chair in January 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.neh.gov/about/chairman/deputy-chairman | title=Deputy Chair | publisher=National Endowment for the Humanities | access-date=25 February 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314183912/http://www.neh.gov/about/chairman/deputy-chairman | archive-date=14 March 2015 }}</ref>

Before Adams's appointment, the NEH was headed by Acting Chair [[Carole M. Watson]]. Adams resigned his appointment on May 23, 2017, when he cited accomplishments under the "Common Good" initiative and the appointment of new administration officials.<ref name="Adams-resignation">{{Cite web |url=https://www.neh.gov/news/press-release/2017-05-22 |title=NEH Chairman William D. Adams Announces Resignation |date=May 22, 2017  |publisher=National Endowment for the Humanities |location=Washington, D.C. |access-date=23 May 2017}}</ref>

===Jon Parrish Peede's tenure as NEH Chair (2018–2022)===
Appointed under [[Donald Trump]], from 2018 to 2022, [[Jon Parrish Peede]] served as Chair of the NEH.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/04/arts/jon-parrish-peede-trump-nominee-national-endownment-humanities.html |title=Trump Nominates New Chairman for the National Endowment for the Humanities  |work=New York Times |date=4 March 2018 |access-date=8 September 2022 |last1=Schuessler |first1=Jennifer }}</ref> On February 10, 2020, the NEH was presented by the Trump administration with a FY2021 budget that included an orderly wind-down of the agency.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.neh.gov/news/neh-statement-proposed-fy-2021-budget | title=NEH Statement on Proposed FY 2021 Budget | access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref>

=== Shelly Lowe's tenure as NEH Chair (2022–2025) ===
Plans to close the agency were halted under the [[Biden administration]] and the NEH continues to operate and provides funding for various projects.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/16/arts/national-endowment-for-the-humanities-grants.html |title=National Endowment for the Humanities Announces $31.5 Million in Grants |work=The New York Times |date=16 August 2022 |access-date=8 September 2022 |last1=Bahr |first1=Sarah }}</ref> In 2022, [[Shelly Lowe]] was confirmed as the chairman of the NEH.<ref name="WP2022">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/02/03/neh-chair-shelly-lowe/ |title=Shelly Lowe confirmed as chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=8 September 2022}}</ref> She is the first Native American to lead the agency.<ref name="WP2022"/> Congress appropriated US$180 million for the NEH in FY2022, and US$207 million in 2023.<ref name="Appropriations">{{cite web| url=https://www.neh.gov/neh-appropriations-history |title=NEH Appropriations History |publisher=Federal Government |access-date=January 17, 2023}}</ref>

Lowe resigned from her position in March 2025. A spokesman for the agency said Lowe left "at the direction of [[President Trump]]". Michael McDonald, the NEH's general counsel, is serving as acting chairman as of March 12, 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaur |first1=Anumita |title=Trump directs National Endowment for the Humanities chair to step aside |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2025/03/12/shelly-lowe-national-endowement-humanities/ |access-date=19 March 2025 |work=[[The Washington Post]] |date=12 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Schuessler |first1=Jennifer |title=Chair of National Endowment for the Humanities Leaves at Trump’s ‘Direction’ |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/12/arts/national-endowment-humanities-trump-shelly-lowe.html |access-date=19 March 2025 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=12 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

==Leadership and initiatives==
===Governance===
The Endowment is directed by the [[Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities|NEH chair]]. Advising the chair is the National Council on the Humanities, a board of 26&nbsp;distinguished private citizens who are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.<ref name="nch">{{cite web | url=http://www.neh.gov/about/national-council-on-the-humanities | title=National Council on the Humanities | publisher=National Endowment for the Humanities | access-date=13 July 2014}}</ref> The National Council members serve staggered six-year terms.

===The NEH chair===
The Endowment is directed by a [[Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities|chair]], who has legal authority to approve all recommendations and award grants and cooperative agreements. The chair is nominated by the president and confirmed with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. The chair's decisions are informed by recommendations from the National Council on the Humanities, peer-reviewers who are selected to read each project proposal submitted to the Endowment, as well as by the Endowment's staff.

===National Council on the Humanities===
The council is composed of 27 members, 26 appointed by the [[president of the United States]] with the consent of the [[United States Senate]] and the chairperson of the NEH, who also serves as chair of the council. The twenty-six appointed by the President are selected from among private citizens of the United States who are recognized for their broad knowledge of, expertise in, or commitment to the humanities, and have established records of distinguished service and scholarship or creativity and in a manner which will provide a comprehensive representation of the views of scholars and professional practitioners in the humanities and of the public throughout the United States. In making these appointments, the President shall give due regard to equitable representation of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities who are involved in the humanities, and may give consideration to such recommendations as may from time to time be submitted to him by leading national organizations concerned with the humanities.<ref name="USC">{{USCode|20|957}}</ref>

These are appointed to serve terms of six years. The terms are staggered so a number of terms end January 26 every other year. The members are not eligible for reappointment during the two-year period following the expiration of their term. However, they may continue to serve on the council after their term's expiration until a successor takes office. Fourteen members of the council constitutes a quorum.<ref name="USC" />

===Current council members===
The current council members {{as of|lc=y|df=US|2024|12|22}}:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.neh.gov/about/national-council-on-the-humanities |title=National Council on the Humanities |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=<!--Not stated--> |website=NEH.gov |publisher=National Endowment for the Humanities |access-date=December 22, 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Position
! Name
! Assumed office
! Term expiration
! Appointed by
|-
! Acting Chair
| {{sortname|Michael|McDonald}}
| {{dts|2022|02|02}}
| {{dts|2026|02|02}}
| [[List of political appointments by Joe Biden|Joe Biden]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Kathe Hicks|Albrecht}}
| {{dts|2019|08|05}}
| {{dts|2024|01|26}}
| [[Political appointments of the first Trump administration|Donald Trump]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Daryl|Baldwin}}
| {{dts|2021|12|18}}
| {{dts|2024|01|26}}
| [[List of political appointments by Joe Biden|Joe Biden]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Francine|Berman}}
| {{dts|2015|11|24}}
| {{dts|2020|01|26}}
| [[Barack Obama]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Russell A.|Berman}}
| {{dts|2019|08|05}}
| {{dts|2020|01|26}}
| [[Political appointments of the first Trump administration|Donald Trump]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Allison|Blakely}}
| {{dts|2011|01|10}}
| {{dts|2016|01|26}}
| [[Barack Obama]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Keegan F.|Callanan}}
| {{dts|2019|09|05}}
| {{dts|2024|01|26}}
| [[Political appointments of the first Trump administration|Donald Trump]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Constance M.|Carroll}}
| {{dts|2011|06|01}}
| {{dts|2016|01|26}}
| [[Barack Obama]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Deborah|Coen}}
| {{dts|2022|07|21}}
| {{dts|2028|01|26}}
| [[List of political appointments by Joe Biden|Joe Biden]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|William|English|dab=academic}}
| {{dts|2019|08|05}}
| {{dts|2024|01|26}}
| [[Political appointments of the first Trump administration|Donald Trump]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Genine Macks|Fidler}}
| {{dts|2021|10|01}}
| {{dts|2022|01|26}}
| [[List of political appointments by Joe Biden|Joe Biden]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Marjorie|Fisher}}
| {{dts|2019|08|05}}
| {{dts|2022|01|26}}
| [[Political appointments of the first Trump administration|Donald Trump]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Beverly|Gage}}
| {{dts|2022|03|24}}
| {{dts|2024|01|26}}
| [[List of political appointments by Joe Biden|Joe Biden]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|David|Hajdu}}
| {{dts|2022|03|16}}
| {{dts|2024|01|26}}
| [[List of political appointments by Joe Biden|Joe Biden]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Christine M.|Kim}}
| {{dts|2022|05|19}}
| {{dts|2026|01|26}}
| [[List of political appointments by Joe Biden|Joe Biden]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Dorothy|Kosinski}}
| {{dts|2013|08|05}}
| {{dts|2016|01|26}}
| [[Barack Obama]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Kathryn|Matthew}}
| {{dts|2022|03|15}}
| {{dts|2024|01|26}}
| [[List of political appointments by Joe Biden|Joe Biden]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Claire McCaffery|Griffin}}
| {{dts|2019|08|05}}
| {{dts|2022|01|26}}
| [[Political appointments of the first Trump administration|Donald Trump]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Vanessa Northington|Gamble}}
| {{dts|2022|03|16}}
| {{dts|2024|01|26}}
| [[List of political appointments by Joe Biden|Joe Biden]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Lynnette Young|Overby}}
| {{dts|2021|12|18}}
| {{dts|2022|01|26}}
| [[List of political appointments by Joe Biden|Joe Biden]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Matthew|Rose|dab=academic}}
| {{dts|2019|08|05}}
| {{dts|2024|01|26}}
| [[Political appointments of the first Trump administration|Donald Trump]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Ramón|Saldívar}}
| {{dts|2013|01|07}}
| {{dts|2018|01|26}}
| [[Barack Obama]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|David Kekaulike|Sing}}
| {{dts|2023|12|18}}
| {{dts|2026|01|26}}
| [[List of political appointments by Joe Biden|Joe Biden]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Karen A.|Stout}}
| {{dts|2022|05|19}}
| {{dts|2026|01|26}}
| [[List of political appointments by Joe Biden|Joe Biden]]
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Katherine H.|Tachau}}
| {{dts|2013|08|05}}
| {{dts|2018|01|26}}
| [[Barack Obama]]
|-
! Member
| ''Vacant''
| 
| {{dts|2028|01|26}}
| 
|-
! Member
| ''Vacant''
| 
| {{dts|2030|01|26}}
| 
|}

===Nominations===
President [[Joe Biden|Biden]] has nominated the following to fill seats on the commission. They await Senate confirmation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/quick-search/nominations?wordsPhrases=National+Council+on+the+Humanities&wordVariants=on&congressGroups%5B0%5D=0&congresses%5B0%5D=118&nomCivil=on&nomOther=on&pnNumbers=&nomineeNames=&positions=&organizations=&stateTerritories%5B0%5D=any&nominationAction=&dates=datesReceivedInSenate&dateOperator=equal&startDate=&endDate=&dateIsOption=yesterday |title=Quick Search National Council on the Humanities |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=<!--Not stated--> |website=Congress.gov |publisher=Library of Congress |access-date=September 29, 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Name !! Term expires !! Replacing
|-
| {{sortname|Estrellita Bograd|Brodsky}} || {{dts|2026|01|26}} || {{sortname|Russell A.|Berman}}
|-
| {{sortname|Daryle|Williams}} || {{dts|2030|01|26}} || {{sortname|Shelly|Lowe}}
|-
| {{sortname|Emily|Edenshaw}} || {{dts|2028|01|26}} || {{sortname|Dorothy|Kosinski}}
|-
| {{sortname|Margaret Mary|FitzPatrick}} || {{dts|2030|01|26}} || {{sortname|Katherine H.|Tachau}}
|-
| {{sortname|Deborah|Willis|dab=artist}} || {{dts|2028|01|26}} || {{sortname|Constance M.|Carroll}}
|}

===Major program offices===
The NEH has six grant-making divisions and offices:<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.neh.gov/divisions | title=Information about the Divisions and Offices that Administer NEH Grant Programs | publisher=National Endowment for the Humanities | access-date=11 April 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330140355/http://www.neh.gov/divisions | archive-date=30 March 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

* '''The Division of Preservation and Access''' awards grants to preserve, maintain, and improve access to primary sources in the humanities, in both digital and analog form.
* '''The Division of Public Programs''' supports projects that bring the humanities to large audiences through libraries and museums, television and radio, historic sites, and digital media.
* '''The Division of Research''' makes awards to support the publication of books in and outside the humanities.
* '''The Division of Education''' works to support and strengthen teaching of the humanities.
* '''The Office of Federal/State Partnership''' collaborates with 56 state and territory humanities councils to strengthen local programs.
* '''The Office of Digital Humanities''' advises on use of technology in the humanities and coordinates, and was established in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Allington |first1=Daniel |last2=Brouilette |first2=Sarah |last3=Golumbia |first3=David |date=May 1, 2016 |title=Neoliberal Tools (and Archives): A Political History of Digital Humanities |url=https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/neoliberal-tools-archives-political%20-history-digital-humanities. |website=[[Los Angeles Review of Books]]}}</ref>

The Office of Challenge Grants, dissolved in 2017, administered grants intended to support capacity building and encourage fundraising in humanities institutions. The Division of Preservation and Access now offers a grant program that is similar to previous programs in the Challenge Grants office.

===Special initiatives===
These are special priorities of the endowment that indicate critical areas of the humanities as identified by the NEH chair. They differ from the divisions of the endowment in that they do not sponsor or coordinate specific grant programs.

====Bridging Cultures initiative====
Bridging Cultures was an NEH initiative that explored ways the humanities promote understanding and mutual respect for people with diverse histories, cultures, and perspectives. Projects supported through this initiative focused on cultures globally as well as within the United States.<ref name="bridging.cultures">{{cite web|url=http://www.neh.gov/divisions/bridging-cultures/featured-project/about-the-bridging-cultures-initiative|title=About the Bridging Cultures Initiative|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226104048/http://www.neh.gov/divisions/bridging-cultures/featured-project/about-the-bridging-cultures-initiative|access-date=25 July 2014|archive-date=2014-02-26}}</ref>

====Standing Together====
This initiative, launched in 2014, marks a priority to make awards that promote understanding of the military experience and to support returning veterans.<ref name="neh.standing.together">{{cite web | url=http://www.neh.gov/veterans/standing-together | title=NEH Veterans Initiative | access-date=2 August 2014}}</ref>

====We the People====
''We the People'' was an NEH special funding stream initiated by NEH chair Coles, using dedicated funds available to each chair of the NEH, which was designed to encourage and enhance the teaching, study, and understanding of American history, culture, and democratic principles.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://wethepeople.gov/ | title=We the People | access-date=13 July 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714180513/http://wethepeople.gov/ | archive-date=14 July 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The initiative supports projects and programs that explore significant events and themes in American nation's history, which advance knowledge of the principles that define America.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.library.ucsb.edu/thoreau/misc_awards.html |archive-date=2010-03-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302174451/http://www.library.ucsb.edu/thoreau/misc_awards.html |date=March 2, 2010 |title=The Writings of Henry D. Thoreau }}</ref>

According to NEH, the initiative led a renaissance in knowledge about American history and principles among all US citizens. The initiative was launched on Constitution Day, September 17, 2002, and active through 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wethepeople.gov/about/index.html |title=About We the People |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403185208/http://wethepeople.gov/about/index.html |archive-date=2016-04-03}}</ref>

==Notable projects==
Since 1965, the NEH has sponsored many projects, including:
* "Treasures of Tutankhamen", an exhibition seen by more than 1.5 million people.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://50.neh.gov/projects/king-tut-comes-america |archive-date=2017-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124034222/https://50.neh.gov/projects/king-tut-comes-america|title=King Tut Comes to America|work=NEH Essentials |date=2 September 2015 |access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref>
* ''[[The Civil War (TV series)|The Civil War]]'', a 1990 documentary by [[Ken Burns]] seen by 38 million Americans.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://50.neh.gov/projects/ken-burns-the-civil-war |archive-date=2017-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124034438/https://50.neh.gov/projects/ken-burns-the-civil-war|title=Ken Burns The Civil War|work=NEH Essentials |date=3 August 2015 |access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref>
* [[Library of America]], editions of novels, essays, and poems celebrating America's literary heritage.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://50.neh.gov/projects/library-of-america |archive-date=2017-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124034119/https://50.neh.gov/projects/library-of-america|title=Library of America|publisher=National Endowment for the Humanities|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref>
* [https://www.neh.gov/us-newspaper-program United States Newspaper Project], an effort that cataloged and microfilmed 63.3 million pages of newspapers dating from the early United States. The program now digitizes newspapers and makes them available through [[Chronicling America]], a web resource maintained by the [[Library of Congress]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://50.neh.gov/projects/newspapers-the-first-draft-history |archive-date=2017-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124034402/https://50.neh.gov/projects/newspapers-the-first-draft-history|title=Newspapers: The First Draft of History|work=NEH Essentials |date=27 August 2015 |publisher=National Endowment for the Humanities|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref>
* Fifteen Pulitzer Prize–winning books, including those by [[James M. McPherson]], [[Louis Menand]], [[Joan D. Hedrick]], and [[Bernard Bailyn]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.neh.gov/news/fact-sheet/neh-books |archive-date=2016-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926034256/https://www.neh.gov/news/fact-sheet/neh-books|title=NEH & Books|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref>
* [https://edsitement.neh.gov/ EDSITEment], a Web project bringing the "best of the humanities on the web" to teachers and students, started in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://50.neh.gov/projects/edsitement |title=Edsitement |work=NEH Essentials |date=2 September 2015 |publisher=National Endowment for the Humanities |access-date=2017-01-27 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124034012/https://50.neh.gov/projects/edsitement |archive-date=2017-01-24 }}</ref>
* Reference archives, in Athens and Boston, of archaeological photographs taken by [[Eleanor Myers|Eleanor Emlen Myers]].<ref>{{cite web |first=J. Wilson |last=Myers |title=Eleanor Emlen Myers, 1925–1996 |work=Breaking Ground: Women in Old World Archaeology |url=http://www.brown.edu/Research/Breaking_Ground/bios/Myers_Eleanor%20Emlen.pdf |archive-date=20 February 2015  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220212729/http://www.brown.edu/Research/Breaking_Ground/bios/Myers_Eleanor%20Emlen.pdf |access-date=20 February 2015 }}</ref>
* [[The Valley of the Shadow]], a digital history project created by [[Edward L. Ayers]] and [[William G. Thomas III]] on the experience of Confederate Civil War soldiers in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://50.neh.gov/projects/valley-shadow |archive-date=2017-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124033922/https://50.neh.gov/projects/valley-shadow|title=Valley of the Shadow|work=NEH Essentials |date=26 August 2015 |publisher=National Endowment for the Humanities|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref>
* [http://menus.nypl.org/ What's on the Menu], digitization and community-sourced transcription of [[New York Public Library]]'s restaurant menu collection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://50.neh.gov/projects/whats-on-the-menu |archive-date=2017-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124034133/https://50.neh.gov/projects/whats-on-the-menu|title=What's on the menu?|work=NEH Essentials |date=27 August 2015 |publisher=National Endowment for the Humanities|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref>
*[[Katherine Anne Porter]] at 100, a conference at the [[University of Maryland, College Park|University of Maryland]] featuring presentations on Porter and her work, film screenings, and exhibits containing items from Porter's papers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Katherine Anne Porter at 100 records|url=http://hdl.handle.net/1903.1/7856|website=University of Maryland Archival Collections|hdl=1903.1/7856}}</ref>
* The ''[[Atlas of Historical County Boundaries]]'', a historical atlas and geographic information system for U.S. county boundaries.

==Awards==

===Jefferson Lecture===
{{Main|Jefferson Lecture}}
Since 1972 the NEH has sponsored the [[Jefferson Lecture]] in the Humanities, which it describes as "the highest honor the federal government confers for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities." The Jefferson Lecturer is selected each year by the National Council on the Humanities. The honoree delivers a lecture in Washington, D.C., during the spring, and receives an honorarium of $10,000. The stated purpose of the honor is to recognize "an individual who has made significant scholarly contributions in the humanities and who has the ability to communicate the knowledge and wisdom of the humanities in a broadly appealing way."<ref name="jefflect">[http://www.neh.gov/whoweare/jefflect.html Jefferson Lecturers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020121101/http://www.neh.gov///whoweare/jefflect.html |date=2011-10-20 }} at NEH Website (retrieved January 22, 2009).</ref>

===National Humanities Medal and Charles Frankel Prize===
{{Main|National Humanities Medal}}
The National Humanities Medal, inaugurated in 1997, honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation's understanding of the humanities, broadened citizens' engagement with the humanities, or helped preserve and expand Americans' access to important resources in the humanities. Up to 12&nbsp;medals can be awarded each year. From 1989 to 1996 the NEH awarded a similar prize known as the [[Charles Frankel]] Prize.<ref>[http://www.neh.gov/whoweare/awards.html Awards and Honors] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117133400/http://www.neh.gov///whoweare/awards.html |date=2009-01-17 }} at NEH Website (retrieved January 23, 2009).</ref> The new award, a bronze medallion, was designed by David Macaulay, the 1995 winner of the Frankel Prize. Lists of the winners of the National Humanities Medal<ref>[http://www.neh.gov/whoweare/nationalmedals.html National Humanities Medals] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721054114/http://www.neh.gov/whoweare/nationalmedals.html |date=2011-07-21 }} at the NEH website (retrieved January 23, 2009).</ref> and the Frankel Prize<ref>[http://www.neh.gov/about/awards/charles-frankel-prize Winners of the Charles Frankel Prize] at NEH Website (retrieved January 23, 2009).</ref> are available at the NEH website.

==''Humanities'' magazine==
Starting in 1969, the NEH published a periodical called ''Humanities''; that original incarnation was discontinued in 1978. In 1980, ''Humanities'' magazine was relaunched ({{ISSN|0018-7526}}). It is published six times per year, with one cover article each year dedicated to profiling that year's Jefferson Lecturer. Most of its articles have some connection to NEH activities. The magazine's editor since 2007 has been journalist and author [[David Skinner (journalist)|David Skinner]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.neh.gov/humanities/2007/septemberoctober/ednote/editor%25E2%2580%2599s-note-septemberoctober-2007|title=Editor's Note, September/October 2007|website=National Endowment for the Humanities|access-date=2016-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827134910/http://www.neh.gov/humanities/2007/septemberoctober/ednote/editor%25E2%2580%2599s-note-septemberoctober-2007|archive-date=2016-08-27|url-status=dead}}</ref> From 1990 until her death in 2007, ''Humanities'' was edited by Mary Lou Beatty (who had previously been a high-ranking editor at the [[The Washington Post|''Washington Post'']]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.neh.gov/humanities/2007/marchapril/ednote/editors-note-marchapril-2007|title=Editor's Note, March/April 2007|website=National Endowment for the Humanities|access-date=2016-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/08/AR2007020802132.html|title=Mary Lou Beatty; Editor at NEH, Post|last=Sullivan|first=Patricia|date=2007-02-09|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|access-date=2016-08-21}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|United States}}
* [[Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities]]
* [[List of state humanities councils]]
* [[Institute of Museum and Library Services]]
* [[National Endowment for the Arts]]
* [[National Humanities Medal]]
* [[:Category:National Humanities Medal recipients|National Humanities Medal recipients]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Jensen, Richard. ''The Culture Wars, 1965–1995: A Historian's Map'' ''Journal of Social History'' (Vol. 29, Special Issue: Social History and the American Political Climate: Problems and Strategies (1995)), pp.&nbsp;17–37 [https://www.jstor.org/stable/3789064 online]
* Kammen, Michael. "Culture and the State in America." ''Journal of American History'' 83.3 (1996): 791–814. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/2945640 online]
* Koch, Cynthia M. "Postscript: The Endowments at Fifty." in ''Funding Challenges and Successes in Arts Education'' (IGI Global, 2018) pp.&nbsp;32–48.
* Miller, Stephen. ''Excellence and Equity: The National Endowment for the Humanities'' (UP of Kentucky, 2015).
* Redaelli, Eleonora. "Understanding American cultural policy: the multi-level governance of the arts and humanities." ''Policy Studies'' 41.1 (2020): 80–97. [http://www.academia.edu/download/61740062/Understanding_American_cultural_policy_the_multi_level_governance_of_the_arts_and_humanities20200110-33857-w0lcal.pdf online]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
* Topf, Mel A. "The NEH and the Crisis in the Humanities." ''College English'' 37.3 (1975): 229–242. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/375654 online]
* Zainaldin, Jamil. "Public works: NEH, Congress, and the state humanities councils." ''Public Historian'' 35.1 (2013): 28–50. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/375654 online]

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://www.neh.gov/}}
* [https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/national-foundation-on-the-arts-and-the-humanities National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities] in the [[Federal Register]]
* [https://edsitement.neh.gov/ NEH EDSITEment: The Best of the Humanities on the Web]
* [https://www.neh.gov/grants NEH Grant Browser]

{{Humanities}}
{{Lyndon B. Johnson}}
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[[Category:National Endowment for the Humanities| ]]
[[Category:Great Society programs]]
[[Category:Independent agencies of the United States government]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1965]]
[[Category:Foundations based in the United States]]
[[Category:Humanities organizations]]
[[Category:National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities]]