Dear artists, creative workers, advocates, and supporters of the arts:
Late on April 2, billionaire Elon Musk’s pet project, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), informed every state in the country that it is canceling all funding for humanities councils, including Illinois Humanities, effective April 1, 2025. Illinois Humanities is our state’s trusted partner in distributing federal NEH funds.
This action is not only legally questionable –it’s a direct threat to our local history, community programs, and the ability to share the story of Illinois.
If this stands, Illinois will lose nearly $2 million annually, erasing support for:
- Free education programs for youth and adults
- Grants to rural museums and historical societies
- Community storytelling projects
- Programming tied to America’s 250th birthday
No matter where we live or who we vote for, we are united in the belief that:
Our communities should decide what’s worth preserving.
Our children deserve to know where they come from.
And the government should not silence the stories that shape who we are.
That’s why we’re asking you to link arms with us and with Illinois Humanities. This isn’t just about funding; it’s about freedom, accountability, and local control.
Take Action
- Take two minutes to contact your elected officials right now and urge them to defend the National Endowment for the Humanities. Click here to send a message.
- Share specific information, unknowns, and questions about how these cuts will impact your work. Come to the Help Desk and let us know (or ask questions about) how NEH cuts will affect you. While we may not be able to provide answers about every specific scenario, we’re collecting information to share with our partners and shape our advocacy. We may also be able to connect you to funding and legal resources as needed.
- Arts and cultural organizations and creative businesses: continue to fill out our survey to let us know how you’re doing. Our one-minute temperature check asks about current financial health, which is critical information for our advocacy right now.
