Humanities Endowment Offers $1 Million in Hurricane Relief for Gulf Coast Cultural Resources

Grants available for preservation of books, manuscripts, records, cultural artifacts

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) will make available at least $1 million for emergency grants to libraries, museums, colleges, universities, and other cultural and historical institutions in Gulf Coast areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, NEH Chairman Bruce Cole announced today.

Affected institutions can apply immediately for emergency grants of up to $30,000 to preserve books, records, manuscripts, art, and cultural artifacts damaged by the hurricane and the flooding that followed. Application details are available on the NEH website.

"In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, millions of Americans have faced incredible hardships," said Cole. "For centuries, New Orleans and the Gulf Coast have made distinctive contributions to the history, literature, music, and art of our nation, and as families, businesses, and institutions recover from this terrible storm, NEH will help rescue and restore the vibrant historical and cultural resources of the region."

NEH is contacting the executive directors of the state humanities councils in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana to offer $30,000 emergency grants to help the Endowment's state affiliates begin the process of assessing local damages and recovering cultural resources in their respective states.