Jessica Irons, the executive director of the National Humanities Alliance, has invited all interested in the humanities to actively participate in the Alliance’s 2011 Annual Meeting and Humanities Advocacy Day. The events are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., at The George Washington University’s Marvin Center and on Capitol Hill. “With the newly elected Congress, and increasing budgetary pressures on federal spending...help is needed now more than ever to defend critical humanities programs,” she declared in an announcement on the NHA web site (at www.nhalliance.org).

The events are an opportunity for historians to connect with other participants who are actively engaged in shaping humanities policy and advocacy, to meet congressional leaders, and to discuss ways of increasing public support for, and understanding of, the humanities.

The preliminary program for the 2011 events is expected to include: commentary on the post-election landscape; discussion of humanities funding and other policy issues; luncheon and keynote address; presentations on current work in the humanities; a Capitol Hill reception; and congressional visits.

“New advocate” training will be provided the evening of March 6, 2011, at the One Washington Circle Hotel prior to the official start of events.

Online registration is now available for the March 7–8, 2011 events. The participant registration fee is $75. Those registering by December 31, 2010, can avail of a discounted early registration fee of $55. The deadline to register for the meeting is February 6, 2011.

A block of rooms at the One Washington Circle Hotel (located near the George Washington University campus) has been reserved for participants at the discounted rate of $179 on Sunday, March 6, and $229 on Monday, March 7 and Tuesday, March 8. The hotel should be called directly at (202) 872-1680 to make a reservation at the “National Humanities Alliance” rate before February 6, 2011.

Founded in 1981, the National Humanities Alliance is an advocacy coalition dedicated to the advancement of humanities education, research, preservation, and public programs. The Alliance is supported by nearly one hundred national, state and local member organizations and institutions, including the American Historical Association. Many other scholarly and professional associations; higher education associations; organizations of museums, libraries, historical societies and state humanities councils; university-based and independent humanities research centers; and colleges and universities, are also members.

The mission of the National Humanities Alliance is to advance the cause of the humanities by promoting the common interests of its members with regard to national policy, programs, and legislation that impact work in the humanities. Based in Washington, D.C., the Alliance is a 501(c)(4) non-profit association and is strictly nonpartisan.