Phil Huebschen is departing as executive director of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council effective May 14, the organization announced Monday.
The reason for his departure, and whether it was voluntary, was not stated in a press release issued by JAHC. Attempts by the Empire to contact Huebschen on Monday evening were unsuccessful.
”The JAHC Board of Trustees will begin a search for a new Executive Director immediately,” the release states. “In the interim, Reggie Schapp will serve as Interim Executive Director to ensure a smooth transition and continued operation of all JAHC programs and services.”
Huebschen, who grew up in Juneau, became JAHC’s executive director in February of 2023 after serving as the associate director for the UCLA Chancellor’s Society. His departure comes amidst tension for local arts and culture programs facing threats and funding losses from President Donald Trump, largely due to his effort to eliminate material he deems “woke” or otherwise at odds with his agenda.
JAHC’s board in February, in an attempt to safeguard funding, voted to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion references from its website and other “public facing documents.” Huebschen, in an email to the Empire last month, stated “no events are being cancelled, limited, or otherwise not allowed to present as a result of this decision,” and JAHC was working on new language to “rearticulating these policies.”
However, the Trump administration last Friday cancelled National Endowment for the Arts grants nationwide, part of a wider funding freeze that includes the National Endowment for the Humanities and other agencies supporting cultural programs. While various Juneau arts, culture and library programs were affected by the cuts, it was not known Monday if JAHC was specifically targeted.
JAHC’s press release, noting simply that Huebschen is stepping down “to pursue new professional opportunities,” also states he “has provided steady leadership through a period of growth and evolution for the organization.”
“We appreciate very much the incredible effort he has offered over the past number of years,” James Bibb, JAHC’s interim board chair, said in a prepared statement.
Huebschen’s announced departure occurred the same day a group of senior NEA officials announced their resignations due to the recent grant cancellations by Trump.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
