National Council on the Humanities

National Council on the Humanities. The National Council on the Humanities is a body that advises the National Endowment for the Humanities on grant proposals and other matters related to the National Endowment for the Humanities's mission to support research, education, and public programs in the humanities. The council is composed of President of the United States-appointed members, including notable figures such as Drew Gilpin Faust, Kwame Anthony Appiah, and Martha Nussbaum, who have made significant contributions to the fields of history, philosophy, and literary theory. The council works closely with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to promote the arts and humanities in the United States, with support from organizations such as the American Council of Learned Societies and the Council of Independent Colleges.

● History

The National Council on the Humanities was established in 1964, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act, which also created the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The council's early years were marked by the leadership of Barnaby Keeney, who served as the first chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Jackson Bryce, who played a key role in shaping the council's grant-making policies. The council has since been advised by prominent figures such as Carl Degler, Nathan Glazer, and Gerald Graff, who have helped to shape the council's priorities and initiatives, including the Humanities Initiative and the We the People program, which have been supported by organizations such as the American Historical Association and the Modern Language Association.

● Membership

The National Council on the Humanities is composed of 26 members, who are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. Members serve six-year terms and are chosen for their expertise in the humanities, as well as their experience in fields such as education, museum administration, and public policy. Current and former members of the council include Annette Gordon-Reed, David Levering Lewis, and Bernard Lewis, who have made significant contributions to the fields of history, literary criticism, and cultural studies. The council also works closely with other organizations, such as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Council on Foreign Relations, to promote the humanities and support research and education in the United States.

● Functions

The National Council on the Humanities advises the National Endowment for the Humanities on grant proposals and other matters related to the National Endowment for the Humanities's mission. The council reviews and recommends grant proposals in fields such as history, literature, philosophy, and linguistics, and provides guidance on the National Endowment for the Humanities's strategic plan and budget. The council also works with other federal agencies, such as the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education, to promote interdisciplinary research and education initiatives, including the Digital Humanities Initiative and the Summer Seminars and Institutes program, which have been supported by organizations such as the Association for Computing Machinery and the National Council of Teachers of English.

● Advisory Role

The National Council on the Humanities plays a critical advisory role in shaping the National Endowment for the Humanities's priorities and initiatives. The council provides guidance on the National Endowment for the Humanities's grant-making policies and procedures, and advises on the development of new programs and initiatives, such as the Humanities in the Public Square program and the Common Heritage program, which have been supported by organizations such as the American Library Association and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The council also works closely with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to promote the arts and humanities in the United States, and to support research and education initiatives, such as the Arts and Humanities in Healthcare program and the Museums for America program, which have been supported by organizations such as the American Alliance of Museums and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.

● Notable Members

The National Council on the Humanities has been advised by many notable members over the years, including Shelby Foote, John Hope Franklin, and Gertrude Himmelfarb, who have made significant contributions to the fields of history, literary criticism, and cultural studies. Other notable members include Robert Conquest, Midge Decter, and Joseph Epstein, who have been recognized for their work in fields such as poetry, literary criticism, and journalism. The council has also been advised by prominent figures such as Hanna Holborn Gray, Vartan Gregorian, and Neil Rudenstine, who have served as presidents of institutions such as the University of Chicago, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Harvard University, and have been recognized for their contributions to the fields of education, philanthropy, and public policy.