Federal budget cuts threaten Humanities councils in Guam and NMI
On April 2, the humanities councils of Guam and the other 55 states and jurisdictions received an official notice that all active grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities have been canceled retroactively on April 1.
That’s according to a statement from the Humanities Guåhan, which also said the federal Department of Government Efficiency directed the cuts. Known by its acronym, DOGE is a Trump administration initiative that aims to streamline government operations and cut spending.
Humanities Guåhan put out a call-to-action to the community for support. Photo courtesy Humanities Guåhan
Humanities Guåhan officials said the funding cuts affect the General Operating Support Grant and funding for the Pacific Islands Cultural Initiative – both core resources for the council’s programs.
CJ Ochoco, the executive director of Humanities Guåhan, told the Journal that the organization is 100% federally funded and that the council will need to “cut as many costs as [it] can” to keep staff and keep doors open.
They’re considering several measures including closing their office in the Reflections Center in Hagåtña and having staff work remotely. Even then, Ochoco said, the council would have to stretch its resources.
“We’re projecting one to three months, [that’s our] broad strokes estimate,” she said on how long the Humanities Guåhan has before becoming insolvent.
The council has put out a call-to-action, asking the community for help to support the restoration of NEH funding.
On its website, the council is asking residents to write to local leaders and ask them to support restoring the funds. They also are asking for donations to extend the life of the council and to support ongoing efforts in the meantime.
Ochoco said the council will also be meeting with public and local officials to ask for support.
Sen. Shelly V. Calvo, chairwoman of the Committee on Arts, Culture, and Historic Preservation said in an April 4 statement, “the rescission of NEH funding is a devastating blow to our island’s cultural and educational programming.”
Calvo said that while the government of Guam is committed to preserving culture and the arts, it is experiencing “severe budgetary constraints that limit our ability to fill the funding gap.” Despite this, she called for collective action and creative solutions and for the community to take action by spreading awareness and contacting local leaders.
In the Northern Mariana Islands the sentiment is the same.
Northern Marianas Humanities Council’s executive director, Leo Pangelinan said that the council has awarded approximately $1.4 million in the form of subgrants to promote 222 humanities projects in the NMI and that 93% of operations and programmatic expected are funded through NEH grants.
The council receives no funding from the NMI government, he said and donations account for only 5% of total revenues.
The NMI council’s call-to-action mirrors that in Guam: talk to your local leaders, spread awareness, and donate.
“More than ever, your voice and action for the humanities is so important,” Pangelinan said. mbj
