“An Urgent Priority” — R. I. P.: NEH (1965-2025) — A Postscript

Here’s a postscript to my obituary for the National Endowment of the Humanities, and for my own Music Unwound national consortium:

I am now apprised – via a form letter — that the cancellation of Music Unwound (a 15-year-old national consortium of orchestras and universities) “represents an urgent priority for the administration.” 

Music Unwound has also been terminated “to safeguard the interests of the federal government, including its fiscal priorities.” 

“The NEH “is repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the President’s agenda. The President’s February 19, 2025, executive order mandates that the NEH eliminate all non-statutorily required activities and functions.”

Hence: no role for Congress here.

The letter is signed by Michael McDonald, Acting Chairman, National Endowment for the Humanities.