The cultural sector is a cornerstone of any nation’s identity and greatness. Yet, cultural industries and the professionals who sustain them are often deprioritized when it comes to government funding. As of May 2025, the U.S. federal government—via the Department of Government Efficiency—has moved to significantly cut funding and staffing for the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts. These cuts not only threaten the arts and humanities programs that enrich communities nationwide, but they also jeopardize the ability of countless cultural workers to provide for themselves and their families. In response, Higher Ground Society is launching the Culture Keeper Mutual Aid Network—a bold effort to unite and support the cultural community through collective action and mutual aid.

Mission: To support the livelihood of arts and humanities administrators and cultural workers in times of uncertainty. 

Method: 

• Career Support

• Culture Keeper Register - The Register is a public roster of cultural workers who wish to self-identify their expertise and experience to find opportunities for steady work, consulting, or collaboration. The Register is updated at weekly on Fridays.

  • Click here to add your information to The Register now.

  • Click here to view the Arts Register.

  • Click here to view the Humanities Register.

• Career Workshops - Higher Ground Society will occasionally facilitate gatherings for cultural workers to exchange expertise and information that might benefit the collective in its career journey. Check the “Engage” section below for any upcoming workshops.

• Mutual Aid 

• Fund - The Mutual Aid Fund will be established to provide financial relief to cultural workers—arts and humanities administrators, scholars, artists, museum professionals, etc.—experiencing hardship in a time of uncertainty.

  • Click here to learn more and contribute to The Fund.

• Acts of Service (under development) - Higher Ground Society will provide a platform for Keepers and Friends to exchange goods and services amongst each other, meeting each other’s needs when and where we can.

For questions, reach out to us through our Contact form.

Engage

Upcoming Opportunities: TBA

Check back for the next Culture Keeper opportunity.