Comment: Loss of humanities grants robs us of connections

By Diane Johnston / For The Herald

In the early hours of April 2, Elon Musk’s inaccurately titled Department of Government Efficiency abruptly and illegally canceled hundreds of National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant contracts nationwide. More than $10 million in promised funding for Washington residents vanished overnight, including support for Humanities Washington, which provides free cultural and educational programs to Snohomish County and beyond.

And for what? Supporting these grants costs the average American less than 60 cents per year. Moreover, NEH funding accounts a minuscule percentage of the federal budget, according to usaspending.gov. Cutting these funds doesn’t reduce the deficit; but it does hurt Washington families and the cultural organizations that serve them. Additionally, NEH funds are approved by Congress with bipartisan support. Refusing to provide these funds to Washington residents is entirely unconstitutional.

Because these grants are being illegally withheld, local humanities programs are at risk of being dismantled. This includes Snohomish County libraries, museums, schools, community centers, historical societies, senior centers, and more. Jobs are at risk. Hours of operation are being reduced. And programs are being cancelled. We are losing access to the arts, culture, and educational services that unite and uplift us.

The humanities are woven into our daily lives: history, language, literature, media, arts, music, theater, movies/TV, communications, law, philosophy, religion, even food traditions. They shape how we understand the world and each other. They’re not just enriching; they’re essential. They are what make us human.

As one of nearly 60 Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau presenters, I travel the state giving fun, educational, and thought-provoking talks, like my current presentation on why women’s clothing lacks pockets. One pair of guests especially stood out: a teen and her dad.

After the talk, the father shared that he’d never understood his daughter’s fascination with fashion. She didn’t follow trends or care about the latest styles, and he couldn’t see why she was interested. But the talk opened his eyes; her passion was about designing functional, comfortable and practical clothes; yes, with pockets. The two of them enjoyed an animated conversation, energized by the experience. That’s the power of programs like these; building meaningful connections across generations and creating space for understanding and excitement.

Without NEH funding, we risk losing more than just talks like mine. Programs such as Humanities Washington’s Prime Time Family Reading, which connects families through books at local libraries, could disappear. These are the kinds of initiatives that build stronger, more informed, and more compassionate communities, programs that facilitate humanity.

I love science fiction movies where aliens land and ask, “What makes humans worth saving?” All the people scramble to answer the question, and then someone demonstrates our capacity for love and empathy; and humanity is spared. But today, our leaders seem to have forgotten those very qualities. Instead of demonstrating compassion and care, they chase power and exalt greed.

Illegally withholding congressionally approved NEH funds — which also recently happened to the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the NEH’s sister organization, the National Endowment for the Arts — is a perfect example of this abuse of power.

We can’t let Musk, DOGE, or anyone else sidestep democracy by taking what Congress has already allocated to Washington state. Please contact your legislators and urge them to restore NEH funding. Our communities — and our humanity — depend on it.

Diane Johnston, a theatrical costume designer, wrote the above commentary on behalf of Humanities Washington, a nonprofit organization working to open minds and bridge divides by creating spaces to explore different perspectives. She lives in Stanwood.