Initiatives

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Pacific Islands Cultural Initiatives MOU signing group

Now—as our nation grapples with existential threats to our democracy, the persistent scourge of systemic racism, and the ongoing climate crisis—the humanities are more vital than ever.  NEH is proud to fund a wide range of strategic initiatives that protect and expand access to the humanities across the United States.

American Tapestry: Weaving Together Past, Present, and Future

Today we face some of our greatest challenges as a nation: among them, sustaining our democratic institutions, building a more just and equitable society, and protecting our cultural inheritance from the effects of climate change. In response to these challenges, American Tapestry leverages the humanities to strengthen our democracy, advance equity for all, and address our changing climate. 

American Tapestry: Weaving Together Past, Present, and Future

Humanities Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most powerful technologies of our time and will have profound consequences for civil rights and civil liberties, safety and security, and democratic values.

Humanities Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence

Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative

NEH has contributed $4 million to an interagency partnership with the Department of the Interior (DOI). This partnership expands the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative by creating a permanent collection of oral histories and digitizing records documenting the experiences of survivors of the Federal Indian boarding school system and their descendants.  

DOI and NEH logos FIBSI

Pacific Islands Cultural Initiative

On September 28, 2023, NEH announced the Pacific Islands Cultural Initiative, a historic initiative to strengthen the cultural and educational sectors in Amerika Samoa, Guåhan (Guam), Hawaiʻi, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI). In its first round of funding, NEH committed $1.3 million to the Pacific Islands Cultural Initiative.

photo youth at the canoe house

photo courtesy Humanities Guåhan

United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture

United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture leverages the arts and humanities to combat hate-motivated violence. This initiative includes funding opportunities for partners across the country for programming promoting civic engagement, social cohesion, and cross-cultural understanding.

United We Stand Hero Image