Arizona Humanities recently awarded four Mini Grants to the Arizona Historical Society, Arizona Jewish Historical Society, the Arizona Professional Writers, and the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation. The projects include: a festival about the culture of sheep herding, a Jewish documentary film series, a celebration of books and Arizona authors,and sharing the stories of LGBT veterans. Mini Grants are available on a rolling basis to support innovative public programs, and organizations can request up to $2,000 in funding.
Arizona Historical Society– Flagstaff, AZ
Flag Wool and Fiber Festival 2017
Total Project Grant Award: $1, 996
Project Director: Sacha Siskonen, 928-774-6272 / ssiskonen@azhs.gov
Located at the Pioneer Museum in Flagstaff, the Flag Wool and Fiber Festival bridges the divide that sometimes crops up between the arts and the humanities. Sheep herding is a part of Arizona history and indigenous communities have long-standing traditions of herding sheep and using their wool to create beautiful textiles. At the festival, artisans and demonstrators connect the history to the art through their textiles and fiber arts creations, keeping these traditions alive. The Flag Wool and Fiber Festival, held the first weekend in June, brings together wool growers, artisans and fiber-related vendors to share their knowledge and experience creating goods using natural materials grown in Arizona. Educational demonstrations are ongoing throughout the festival, and more in-depth workshops are offered by experienced teachers on both Saturday and Sunday.
Arizona Jewish Historical Society– Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix Jewish Documentary Film Series – Spring 2017
Total Project Grant Award: $600
Project Director: Dr. Lawrence David Bell, 602-241-7870 / lbell@azjhs.org
The Jewish Documentary Film Series consists of screening a series of documentary films relating to Jewish history or culture over the course of Spring 2017. The series promotes awareness and dialogue about people of diverse cultures and a greater awareness of history in particular through documentary film. The project’s goal is for members of the public to gain insight into Jewish history and culture, and to promote greater understanding and respect between people of different races, religions, and cultures.
Arizona Press Women Inc. dba Arizona Professional Writers – Payson, AZ
Payson Book Festival
Total Project Grant Award: $2,000
Project Director: Connie Jean Cockrell, 928-478-6793 / connie.cockrell@gmail.com
Beginning in 2015 the now annual Payson Book Festival promotes literacy and showcases AZ authors. Presented by the Rim Country Chapter of Arizona Professional Writers, this free community event is a celebration of books for all ages but especially children and families. A variety of activities will beckon visitors to enjoy author presentations, workshops and panel discussions where they can exchange ideas and quench a hidden thirst for literature. The third Payson Book Festival, themed “Reading takes us to amazing places” is scheduled for July, 22nd, 2017 at the Mazatzal Hotel and Casino ballroom and a portion of the proceeds will benefit college scholarship funds for local students.
Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation – Southern Arizona Senior Pride – Tucson, AZ
Serving with Honor, not Equality: LGBT Veterans, World War II to Now
Total Project Grant Award: $2,000
Project Director: Lavina Effie Tomer, 520-312-8923 / soazseniorpride@gmail.com
As part of a 2016-2017 series to promote understanding and appreciation of LGBTQ contributions to culture and history, on April 2 Southern Arizona Senior Pride will present the journeys of LGBT veterans and LGBT service members from World War II to the present. This event includes a screening and discussion of Coming Out Under Fire, an award-winning documentary about Gay Men and Women in World War II with independent producer Arthur Dong (a documentary filmmaker on LGBTQ and Asian American issues). Continuing the history of Gays in uniform, local LGBT veterans will tell moving stories about serving before, during and after “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. Through this program, Southern Arizona Senior Pride hopes to illuminate a part of history that has not been visible or understood and strengthen the cultural life of Southern Arizona.