Humanities Iowa was among all state humanities councils nationwide notified that federal funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has been terminated, effective April 2.

The NEH, an independent federal agency supporting museums, historic sites, libraries, research institutions and other local humanities programming, canceled most of its grant programs and started placing staff on administrative leave last week, the New York Times reports. The state councils were told the funding will be reallocated to other priorities.

At the recommendation of the Department of Government Efficiency, at least 600 NEH grants across the country have been rescinded or revoked. Humanities Iowa’s core operating support and grantmaking abilities are among those being terminated.

Heather Plucar, executive director of Humanities Iowa, said in a news release that the decision jeopardizes the immediate future of humanities programming across the state and threatens to dismantle decades of cultural and educational progress.

“This is a devastating blow not just to Humanities Iowa, but to every Iowan who values history, literacy, the arts, and civic dialogue,” Plucar said. “Our programs serve as lifelines for rural communities, underserved populations, and anyone seeking to better understand our shared human experience. We urgently need public support to survive.”

Earlier this year, Humanities Iowa was officially named Iowa’s state partner of the NEH, a designation that would have unlocked multiyear federal funding.

The immediate consequences of the cuts are:

• Grants, programs and staff positions will be eliminated by April 30.
• Rural libraries, museums and cultural nonprofits that rely on Humanities Iowa grants will lose seed funding.
• Original programming including literacy and intergenerational learning programs supported by Humanities Iowa will be discontinued.

Humanities Iowa provides grants and works with local nonprofits to support humanities programs statewide. The council’s work spans literature, history, journalism, philosophy, art, political science, linguistics, religious studies and theater, the release said.

Last week, Humanities Iowa joined with partners including CultureALL, Iowa Alliance for Arts Education, Iowa Cultural Coalition, Iowa Library Association, Iowa Museum Association, Voices Productions, and Tolerance Week to raise awareness of the funding cuts.