A federal courtroom in Portland will become the stage for a critical legal battle on August 4, as the Oregon Humanities organization seeks to challenge the Trump Administration’s cuts to federal support for the arts and humanities.
This hearing is the initial step in a lawsuit filed by Oregon Humanities aimed at reversing the abrupt decision to terminate federal grant funding for 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils across the United States, including Oregon’s.
The lawsuit follows a significant announcement from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which has been targeted by the Trump Administration, revealing plans to shut down next year after receiving a funding clawback from Congress last month.
Established in 1967, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has played a vital role in funding the Public Broadcasting System and National Public Radio, which subsequently provide support to regional broadcasters such as Oregon Public Broadcasting and local radio stations like Portland’s All Classical Radio and KBOO-FM.
The full impact of this funding cut on local affiliates remains uncertain.
Launching its lawsuit on May 15, Oregon Humanities was joined by the Federation of State Humanities Councils, which collectively represents all but two of the 56 councils affected.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) executed the grant cuts, with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) notifying all councils on April 2 about the decision to terminate previously approved grants.
Oregon Humanities argues that these actions violate legal norms, asserting that grants approved by Congress cannot be canceled at the discretion of the administration.
Communications Director Ben Waterhouse emphasized the political motivations behind the cuts, remarking that the decision embodies a belief system that disapproved of government support for the arts and humanities.
“The cuts seem ideologically driven,” Waterhouse noted. “All federal grants were cut to all councils at once, reflecting a disdain for government support of essential programs.”
The lawsuit seeks both the restoration of the terminated grants and measures to ensure future congressional funding for the humanities councils, thereby allowing them to fulfill their community service obligations.
Historically, Congress has endorsed the NEH since its establishment in 1965, recognizing that “[t]he arts and the humanities belong to all the people of the United States.”
This organization has long been essential for funding various humanities programs nationwide while enjoying bipartisan support.
In 1972, a Congressional amendment to the NEH statutes facilitated the creation of grant programs in each state and territory, leading to the formation of state humanities councils, including Oregon Humanities, founded in 1971.
As one of the five statewide partners of the Oregon Cultural Trust, Oregon Humanities works to connect communities through conversation, storytelling, and participatory programs aimed at fostering understanding and collaborative change, according to their press release on the lawsuit.
In response to the legal action, the U.S. Department of Justice contends that Judge Simon lacks jurisdiction over the case, claiming the matter constitutes a contract dispute set for the Court of Federal Claims.
The department further argues against the standing of the Federation of State Humanities Councils, suggesting that because it does not receive NEH funding, its participation in the lawsuit is unwarranted.
Initially, the NEH terminated a $2.58 million grant earmarked for expenditure from 2022 to 2027. Although the NEH later rescinded this termination, funding has not yet been restored, according to Waterhouse.
Despite the cuts, Oregon Humanities remains resilient, indicating it has sustained fewer setbacks compared to other councils, with NEH funds comprising around 44% of its overall budget.
Though forced to lay off some staff and cancel specific programs, the organization continues to publish its magazine and plans community activities through 2026, retaining a commitment to its mission.
image source from：orartswatch
