Apply Now for a Subgrant: Lewis-Houghton Initiative for Civics Education Through the Arts

The Teaching with Primary Sources Great Plains Region is now accepting subgrant applications for the Lewis-Houghton Initiative (LHI), a Congressionally funded program offered through the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Partner Program. Named in honor of the late Congressmen John R. Lewis (D-GA) and Amo Houghton (R-NY), this initiative supports civics education that harnesses the power of the arts and the Library’s rich digital collections.

Each year, members of the TPS Consortium engage tens of thousands of learners across the country in building knowledge, critical thinking skills, and civic engagement through primary sources. The Lewis-Houghton Initiative continues this mission by encouraging educational organizations to develop digitally enabled, arts-based civics learning experiences, especially those that center music and creative expression.

Through LHI subgrants, organizations have the opportunity to:

• Develop innovative civics education projects using music, art, theater, poetry, and literature from the Library’s digital collections.
  
• Explore history, democracy, and civic engagement through creative arts-driven instruction.
  
• Join a growing network of educators and institutions reimagining how we teach civics in meaningful, culturally resonant ways.
  

We are now accepting applications for the next round of LHI funding. Each subgrant is up to $25,000, and the deadline for applying is Monday, September 15, 2025.

If your organization is passionate about civics, history, and the arts, please contact us to learn more about the program and how to apply. [Kathleen Barker, Project Director, Great Plains Region (kathleen@ncheteach.org) and/or Regina Holland, TPS Grant Specialist, Great Plains Region (regina@ncheteach.org)]. Also, an informational webinar will be held on Tuesday, September 2 at 4 pm ET for all interested in learning more about this opportunity. To register for the webinar, click here.

We look forward to hearing from you soon to discuss how your ideas can help shape a more engaged and informed future through the power of primary sources and the arts.