Ohio Humanities is today announcing an upcoming statewide, yearlong celebration of Ohio native Toni Morrison—one of the most noteworthy authors of the last century and the first Black woman to win a Nobel Prize. “Beloved: Ohio Celebrates Toni Morrison” will run from February 18, 2026 to February 18, 2027, beginning on Morrison’s birthday with a kickoff event in Ohio’s capital … Read More
Federation of State Humanities Councils granted preliminary injunction in lawsuit against NEH
A federal judge in Oregon today issued a preliminary injunction ruling that the termination of humanities councils’ operating grants in April by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) was unlawful. The lawsuit was initiated by Oregon Humanities and the Federation of State Humanities Councils (on behalf of its member councils). The full decision can be read here. A previous press … Read More
Advocating for the Humanities: State & Federal Funding Updates
Join the Ohio Humanities team for a webinar on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 11:00am to learn more about our plans for the future, including potential carve-outs for cultural facilities in the state budget, developments at the NEH and in Congress, and examples of how other sectors have united to increase funding —even in challenging political climates. This virtual event … Read More
Mellon Foundation announces $15 Million emergency funding for humanities councils, including up to $250,000 for Ohio Humanities in response to federal funding cuts
This investment by the Mellon Foundation will help stabilize Ohio Humanities after the sudden cancellation of its federal operating grants by NEH earlier this month The Mellon Foundation has announced a $15 million emergency funding commitment to the Federation of State Humanities Councils in response to federal funding cuts that have devastated state humanities councils. This emergency funding will help … Read More
Breaking news: federal cultural funding cut in Ohio
Last night, all state humanities councils, including Ohio Humanities, received word that DOGE—the Department of Government Efficiency—has terminated our operating grants. While we don’t yet know the full scope of the damage, we believe most grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) have been or will soon be canceled. Many institutions also received grant terminations today from the Institute … Read More
Sacred Soul
The Great Serpent Mound, located in Southern Ohio, is one of the most recognizable effigy mounds in American archaeology. Experts have not yet determined its origins, but many archaeologists believe that it was constructed about 1,000 years ago, significantly later than the Hopewell culture. Although it is not part of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, additional efforts are underway to have … Read More
Humanities at Play: Wilfried Nancy
The expressive Frenchman – a one-time professional footballer now coaching the Columbus Crew – stood beaming on the pitch at Lower.com Field, basking in the overwhelming joy of his team’s Major League Soccer championship. On that night in late 2023, in his first year with the Crew, Wilfried Nancy had just become the first Black coach to win an MLS … Read More
Ohio Humanities announces Descutner-Burnier Awards for Excellence in the Humanities
Annual awards to honor people and organizations making positive impact across the state COLUMBUS, OH—Ohio Humanities is launching a new annual awards program to celebrate people and organizations achieving remarkable success in the humanities in Ohio. The David Descutner and DeLysa Burnier Award for Excellence in the Humanities will recognize individuals and organizations whose outstanding work has positively impacted people … Read More
Saving history through public art
By Alex Corpuz On Juneteenth this year, I made a trip to Athens, Ohio, to see the unveiling of a mural depicting the history of the founding of Mount Zion Baptist Church. Now the Mount Zion Black Cultural Center, the former church is a prominent landmark for the Black community of Athens County. The mural—painted by community members and displayed … Read More
“Nothing about us, without us”
By Aaron Rovan Ohio Humanities Program Officer Aaron Rovan attended the opening of Great Council State Park earlier this month. Below, he reflects on the event—and previews a new Ohio Humanities-funded podcast that shares the stories of Native Ohioans. On a clear morning in early June, I stood shoulder-to-shoulder in a crowd of hundreds of people in Xenia, a small town near … Read More