The Mellon Foundation announces ’emergency funding’ for humanities councils
The Mellon Foundation has announced $15 million in “emergency funding” for state humanities councils across the country. The support comes after the Department of Government Efficiency abruptly cancelled some $65 million in grants earlier this month, which affected museums, historic sites, literacy programs for veterans, book fairs and thousands of other cultural programs in every corner of the country.
In a statement, the Mellon Foundation said, “Without immediate intervention, many state councils face steep reductions—or even closure.”
Mellon’s $15 million will go to the Federation of State Humanities Councils which will then distribute the funds nationally. Federation president Phoebe Stein said the support will be an “enormous boost to re-stabilize what was previously a very healthy network.”
Stein said 41% of state councils are “in dire need” of funding.
“Some are looking at how they can retain staff. Others are thinking about repurposing programming,” she said.
Stein said there has long been bipartisan support for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) which gives nearly half of its federal funding to state humanities councils. She added that humanities groups are talking to Congress about how to restore the funding that was cut by DOGE.
As states scramble to adjust to the funding cuts, the NEH announced millions in grants for artists to help create President Trump’s National Garden of American Heroes.
This story was edited by Jennifer Vanasco
Israel takes steps to shut down international aid groups in Gaza and the West Bank
Israel is de-registering major nongovernmental aid groups from helping people in the Palestinian territories, according to several officials with humanitarian organizations.
New books this week dance between genres — and deserve your attention
New releases this week include a feminist history of modern Russia, and a candid portrait of Gish Jen's relationship with her mother. Plus, new novels from Philip Pullman and Claire Louise-Bennett.
5 things to know about Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister
Japan ranks low in gender equality among developed nations. The first woman to lead the country is an ultraconservative who cites Margaret Thatcher as a role model. She also loves heavy metal.
Books about race and gender to be returned to school libraries on some military bases
The order is to be implemented at school libraries on military bases in Kentucky, Virginia, Italy and Japan. Students and their families claimed their First Amendment rights had been violated when officials removed the books to comply with President Trump's executive orders.
Just because she won a Nobel doesn’t mean Malala didn’t break some rules in college
In 2014, Malala Yousafzai became the youngest person to win a Nobel Prize, an honor that weighed on her when she went off to college. In Finding My Way, she writes about her life at Oxford and beyond.
With steep tariffs on Indian imports, Diwali is expensive to celebrate this year in Alabama
"I guess if I had to take it in a positive way, I would say it's making the artists come out of all of the parents," said one Bollywood dance instructor who is forgoing new costumes this year for her students.
