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Arizona Humanities Awards

Arizona Humanities Awards

Every year Arizona Humanities honors and celebrates outstanding contributions to the
humanities in our state. Since the inaugural awards in 1990, Arizona Humanities has recognized
individuals who have advanced the humanities in Arizona through their scholarship, leadership,
support, and advocacy. Read more about the 2023 Awards here.

Check back soon for more information about the 2024 Awards nomination application.

Read more about each of the award categories below:
Humanities Public Scholars – Dan Shilling Award

Purpose and Criteria

Purpose

This award recognizes a distinguished humanities scholar who enhances public understanding of the humanities, transforms lives and strengthens communities through civil discourse and community engagement. The award recognizes the dedication and contribution of former executive director Dan Shilling’s 19 years of service to Arizona Humanities from 1984-2003.

Criteria

Letters of support should address how the nominee meets the following criteria:

  1. Sustained research (3-5 years), publications, creative activity, and humanities service in Arizona.
  2. Consistently serves as a humanities scholar, or public advocate for humanities.
  3. Actively and consistently engages the Arizona public in one or more humanities disciplines.
  4. Actively and consistently promotes opportunities for people to learn, experience, and explore diverse issues through public programs that foster civil discourse and community engagement.

Friend of the Humanities – Juliana Yoder Award

Purpose and Criteria

Purpose

This award recognizes a public individual who makes a lasting contribution to the cultural life of Arizona communities through active support of, and involvement in, promoting the humanities. The award recognizes the dedication and contribution of Juliana Yoder during her 21 years of service to the Arizona Humanities.

Criteria
Letters of support should address how the nominee meets the following criteria:

  1. Actively promotes understanding and appreciation of the humanities in the community through their work, volunteerism or leadership at cultural, civic, educational or other organizations.
  2. Exemplary outreach and/or advocacy supporting the humanities and access to the humanities.
  3. Significant contribution to the community by promoting civil discourse and/or community engagement.

Humanities Rising Star Award

Purpose and Criteria

Purpose
This award recognizes a young professional, student, or volunteer who demonstrates outstanding and creative approaches to engaging the public with the humanities, and whose humanities scholarship and public service, has enhanced public understanding of the humanities.

Criteria
Letters of support should address how the nominee meets the following criteria:

  1. Nominees must be 18-35 years of age.
  2. Actively promotes awareness and understanding of the humanities in the community through scholarship, creativity, leadership or volunteerism, and actively advocates for others to support the humanities.
  3. Evidence of impact on diverse issues/communities.
  4. Actively and consistently promotes opportunities for people to learn, experience, and explore diverse issues through public programs and creative activities that foster civil discourse and community engagement.

K-12 Humanities Educator Award

Purpose and Criteria

Purpose

This award recognizes an outstanding K-12 educator who engages students with the humanities through teaching in the classroom or leading humanities-based school programs.

Criteria
Letters of support should address how the nominee meets the following criteria:

  1. Nominee must be a teacher, school librarian, or staff/administrator at a K-12 school
  2. Fosters an understanding of the humanities through innovative classroom teaching and/or implementing creative, humanities-based school programs. 
  3. Encourages active student engagement.
  4. Evidence of impact on students and school community. 

Watch Past Awards Ceremonies Below

2022 Hands-On Humanities Awards Ceremony
2021 Hands-On Humanities Awards Ceremony
2020 Hands-On Humanities Award Ceremony