Let Congress know Montana supports the humanities

Editor

In 2015, Havre was selected by Humanities Montana for a “Hometown Humanities” grant following a rigorous application process. Over 30 events scheduled by local volunteers throughout the year reached audiences of all ages and featured speakers, authors, musicians and artists recognized regionally for their expertise. Programs were offered in elementary, high school and college classrooms, at the North Central Senior Citizens Center, at the Hospital and HRDC meeting rooms, the Havre Historic Post Office, and a local church chapel.

Havre has a nearly 40-year relationship with HM, an independent non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. HM activities come to communities across Montana in collaboration with local libraries, museums, schools, community centers, private businesses and cultural organizations. Nearly 80 percent of the funds for HM programs comes from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The president’s recently released Budget Blueprint eliminates funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities and other arts and education programs that serve small communities and isolated populations everywhere. While the blueprint is just a proposal, it reflects the administration’s priorities, and influences congressional leaders as they develop budgets and draft bills.

Over the coming, weeks please contact Sens. Tester and Daines, and candidates campaigning for our sole House seat, to remind them that the humanities are important to Montana families. Ask them to continue the bipartisan support which the NEH, the National Endowment for the Arts, Public Broadcasting, libraries and museums have received for the years. True public and private partnerships, these grass-roots programs provide “real-time” lessons in civics and civil discourse focused on our shared Montana values and beliefs, and the diverse communities and cultures that are our heritage.

Sincerely,

Lynn Hamilton

Havre