Eleven organizations receive grants for humanities projects
PHOENIX, AZ – Arizona Humanities is pleased to award $71,203.69 in Project Grants to 11 organizations.
Brenda Thomson, Arizona Humanities Executive Director shared, “There are many interesting programs and performances that people will enjoy. We appreciate the opportunity to support these organizations that helps us explore our rich Arizona history and culture.”
Project Grants are awarded twice yearly and organizations can apply for up to $10,000 in funding. The next Project Grants Letter of Intent deadline is November 1, 2018. For questions regarding the grants application process, contact Samantha Anderson, Grants Manager at sanderson@azhumanities.org or 602-257-0335. For more information, visit azhumanities.org.
Read more about each Project Grant below.
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Archaeology Southwest – Tucson, AZ
Archaeology Café: Making Connections
$9,000
Project Director: Linda Pierce, (520) 882-6946 x23 / lpierce@archaeologysouthwest.org
Archaeology Café hosts a series of presentations by archaeologists and historians in Tucson and Phoenix that share the history of the places surrounding these two urban centers. The accessible Café venues encourage a lively exchange and sharing of ideas in a relaxed and informal setting. Programs will also be livestreamed via Facebook.
Arizona Masters of Poetry – Phoenix, AZ
Building Bridges
$5,000
Project Director: Suzanne Sosnowski, 602-888-6810 / suzanne@arizonamastersofpoetry.org
Building Bridges is a diverse, collaborative, and multicultural series that brings together youth and adults to empower young people to be confident learners and positive leaders. The series includes writing and performance workshops, a public performance, and discussion for both youth and teachers to increase self-confidence and communication skills through spoken word poetry and storytelling.
Arizona Women’s History Alliance – Phoenix, AZ
3rd Arizona Women’s History Alliance Symposium. Arizona Women: Advocating for Change
$3,120
Project Director: Dr. Melanie Mathew Sturgeon, 480-620-6723 / misturgeon@gmail.com
The “Arizona Women Advocating for Change” symposium explores the history of Arizona women leaders and identifies best practices for researching Arizona women’s history. Scholars, public historians and writers will lead discussions about experiences researching and writing about Arizona women.
Chandler Public Library-Downtown Chandler Library – Chandler, AZ
One World, Many Voices Performance Series
$3,500
Project Director: Jean Reynolds, 480-782-2751/ jean.reynolds@chandleraz.gov
The Chandler Public Library presents free performances in conjunction with the traveling exhibit One World Many Voices. The exhibit will be displayed at various Chandler library branches, and feature stories of American Indian musicians, Apache music and poetry, Hoop Dancing, Mexica stories, and Aztec music.
Museum of Northern Arizona – Flagstaff, AZ
Fall Heritage Insights Series
$10,000
Project Director: Amelia George, 928-774-5211 x217 / ageorge@musnaz.org
The Heritage Insights Lecture Series is a component of the Museum of Northern Arizona’s (MNA) Fall Heritage Festivals – Celebraciones de la Gente and Native American Heritage Month. The festivals feature informative and interactive presentations from community members, culture bearers, and scholars. The program educates festival attendees on the history, culture, and contemporary cultural identity of the Latinx and Native American cultures.
National Orphan Train Complex Museum and Research Center – Concordia, KS
The Orphan Trains – Foundlings to the Frontier
$4,940
Project Director: Alison Moore, 512 393-9457 / ridersontheorphantrain@yahoo.com
“The Orphan Trains-Foundlings to the Frontier” program informs and entertains audiences of all ages about the little-known chapter of the largest child migration in American and Arizona history. Programs incorporate live music, storytelling, historical photos, video interviews with survivors, and a Q&A.
Northern Arizona University through Arizona Board of Regents – Department of English – Flagstaff, AZ
Current Conversations: Arizona and the American West
$3,500
Project Director: Rebecca Mercedes Gordon, 503-351-0142 / rebecca.gordon@nau.edu
This series of conversations celebrates the unique cultural and ecological significance of Northern Arizona and the Colorado Plateau. Topics will explore the impoartnat issues of the Northern Arizona community including: the history of the railroads, water challenges, and the contributions of Native American communities.
Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary – Phoenix, AZ
Ki:him area at the 42nd Annual Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary Indian Market
$10,000
Project Director: Norman Harai, 602-495-0901 / nharai1@hotmail.com
The Ki:him (O’odham word for village) at the 42nd Annual Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary Indian Market features American Indian individuals and groups who will demonstrate and speak about American Indian culture and direct hands-on activities. The Ki:him encourages visitors to see, hear and interact with American Indian artists, crafts people, and performers.
Southwest Folklife Alliance – Tucson, AZ
With Our Own Hands: Work and Dignity in Maryvale
$7,143.69
Project Director: Leia Maahs, 520-621-4046 / leiamaahs@email.arizona.edu
“With Our Own Hands: Work and Dignity in Maryvale” is an oral history project that brings to life the stories of Maryvale, a neighborhood in western Phoenix. The project focuses on the lives and work of residents who came together in partnership with the Isaac Elementary School District to build the Heart of Isaac Community Center. Through a public exhibit, their stories celebrate the folk art practices within manual trades and honors the work and workers who often remain invisible in society.
University of Arizona – Arizona State Museum through Arizona Board of Regents – Tucson, AZ
Pahko’ola/Pah’kora: Yaqui and Mayo Masks from the James S. Griffith Collection
$5,000
Project Director: Lisa Falk, 520-248-0417 / falk@email.arizona.edu
Pascola masks, full of meaning and powerfully rendered, are the center of Arizona State Museum’s exhibit Pahko’ola /Pah’kora. The exhibit pays homage to the Yaqui and Mayo Pascola carvers and Arizona folklorist Dr. James Griffith who collected and studied the masks. Museum visitors will explore this dynamic cultural tradition through programs featuring Yaqui and Mayo cultural practitioners and scholars.
Veterans Heritage Project – Phoenix, AZ
Since You Asked: A Veteran Oral History Program
$10,000
Project Director: Michelle DiMuro, 602-218-4016 x101 / michelle@veteransheritage.org
Veterans Heritage Project (VHP) works with students in various middle schools, high schools and college campuses to conduct more than 300 veterans oral history interviews. Students document stories through video and essay publication for preservation in the Library of Congress. This year, VHP will produce the Since You Asked (SYA), Volume XV: A Salute to the Korean War, which highlights the Korean War veterans’ service. VHP hosts these veterans in a public community forum to honor their service and to celebrate the finished publication.
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Any findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in these projects do not necessarily reflect those of Arizona Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Arizona Humanities
Mission: Arizona Humanities builds a just and civil society by creating opportunities to explore our shared human experiences through discussion, learning and reflection.
Arizona Humanities is a statewide 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and the Arizona affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Since 1973, Arizona Humanities has supported public programs that promote understanding of the human experience with cultural, education, and nonprofit organizations across Arizona.