Humanities Now -  February 2018
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Arizona Humanities to explore journalism and democracy through Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Grant

In 2018, Arizona Humanities will launch an exciting new program series that explores journalism's crucial role in our democracy. The programs are part of the "Democracy and the Informed Citizen" Initiative, administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils. The initiative seeks to deepen the public's knowledge and appreciation of the vital connections between democracy, the humanities, journalism, and an informed citizenry.

Executive Director Brenda Thomson shared, "This opportunity is timely and exciting. We hear about local and world events in the news every day. What does it mean? What is real and "fake" news? How can we participate in these conversations? These programs invite Arizonans to explore the role of journalism in protecting and preserving democracy. We will engage with Pulitzer winning journalists, authors, artists, and scholars to explore the first amendment and freedoms that are the earmark of our nation's democracy." 

Thank you to The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for their generous support of this initiative and the Pulitzer Prizes for their partnership. Stay tuned for more information and upcoming events. For questions, please contact Brenda at bthomson@azhumanities.org
Celebrate the 2018 Arizona Humanities Awards Sunday, March 25 at Phoenix Theatre 

Arizona Humanities is delighted to honor recipients of the 2018 Arizona Humanities Awards on Sunday, March 25, 2018 at Phoenix Theatre. Please join us for an evening of entertainment, hors d' oeuvres, libations, a silent auction and more.
Event proceeds support the ongoing work of Arizona Humanities. The ceremony takes place from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person and can be purchased through eventbrite.  

The 2018 Humanities Awards winners are:
  • Liz Warren, Humanities Public Scholar, Dan Shilling Award
  • Almira Poudrier, Friend of the Humanities, Juliana Yoder Award
  • Dagoberto Bailon, Humanities Rising Star Award
  • The Shackelford Family, Community Partner Outstanding Supporter Award
  • Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records - Founder's Community Partner Award
Read more about each award winner on our website.
Call for Board of Directors applications - Deadline March 1

Arizona Humanities is actively seeking qualified individuals to serve on its Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is made up of members who share a commitment to enhancing the cultural life of Arizona, and whose background and expertise provide the tools Arizona Humanities needs to remain a successful and dynamic organization. Board members are responsible for financial development and sustainability, strategic planning, grant review, advocacy, and more. At this time we are particularly seeking board members with skills in finance, technology, and fundraising. Contact Brenda Thomson Executive Director with questions: bthomson@azhumanities.org.
Grantee Highlights: explore Frank Lloyd Wright's impact, community traditions in South Tucson, and stories of ability within disability

Footprints on the Desert: Frank Lloyd Wright in Arizona

on view at the AZ Heritage Center through March 31
This exhibition examines how Frank Lloyd Wright came to Arizona, and captivated by its beauty and power, created new paradigms for living in the desert southwest. With drawings, photographs, 3D models, artifacts, and audio recordings, this exhibition explores Wright's vision for living imaginatively and sustainably in Arizona. Learn more at the Arizona Historical Society website.

Una Celebracion Del Arte y La Comunidad - South Tucson, where tradition and youth culture come to life

Wednesday, Feburary 7, 2018
4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
City of South Tucson - 1601 S. 6th Ave
The South Tucson Youth Leadership Council (STYLC), an all-volunteer, youth-led coalition whose vision is to engage South Tucson youth ages 9-24 as leaders in their community. Youth will explore, preserve and reinterpret the unique history and culture of South Tucson through education and hands-on engagement. Enjoy a celebration featuring Spoken Futures and Flowers & Bullets with music, food, Ballet Folklorico Tapito, and new community art. Learn more on facebook.


Playwright Kevin Kling
Stories on the Outskirts of Ableism: A Storytelling Workshop with Kevin Kling on Giving Voice to the Ability within Disability 
Friday, February 23, 2018
1:00-4:00 p.m. - Rio Salado Conference Center
Walking a mile in anyone else's shoes is easier said than done. Any difficulty with understanding, communication, and empathy is further compounded by the divide of disability. Those who are "temporarily able-bodied" and those who are not have very different perspectives. Storytelling mitigates that experiential alienation. This workshop will deploy storytelling techniques with an emphasis on disability (whether felt directly or indirectly) as source material. Learn more at the Mesa Community College website. For more information contact Keith Anderson at keith.anderson@mesacc.edu.
AZ Speaks books 200+ presentations for 2018 

Please be advised that bookings for the AZ Speaks program for the current fiscal year have now closed. This year over 80 organizations booked over 200 presentations in 45 communities. This accomplishment would not have been possible without the efforts and support of Arizona communities. Thank you!

Visit our Calendar for upcoming presentations through October 31. We will resume booking later this spring for programs taking place November 1, 2018 through October 31, 2019. Need a speaker now? Check out our FRANK Talks programs.

For questions, please contact Dyadira "Yadi" Fajardo, Programs and Grants Coordinator dfajardo@azhumanities.org.
Schedule spring and summer FRANK Talks today 

FRANK Talks, a popular community conversation program is available to Arizona libraries at no cost. Explore the variety of topics offered. A few of the topics include: Challenges to Democracy from the Extremes, Eradicating Global Hunger: Is Genetically Modified Food (GMO) a Solution?, Is Incarceration the Best Approach to Address Criminal Behavior?, Talking to Each Other About Controversies Now, and Where to start: Building Civic Engagement in a Politically Charged World. Explore our website for the complete list and steps on how to book.
Highlighted February Programs

Check out all of the programs on our website calendar.

Grand Foods of the Grand Canyon State: Traditional Foods of the Tribes of the Southwest with Carrie Cannon
Tuesday, February 13
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Buckeye Public Library - Coyote Branch Library
21699 W Yuma Rd, Suite 116
Buckeye, AZ 85326
Vintage Arizona: The Growth, Death, and Rebirth of a Local Wine Industry with Erik Berg
Thursday, February 15
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Mountain View Ballroom
38735 S. Mountain View Blvd,
Tucson, AZ 85739
FRANK Talks: Talking to Each Other About Controversies Now
Friday, February 16
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Pinetop-Lakeside Public Library, 1595 Johnson Dr
Lakeside, AZ 85929
The Ancient Hohokam Ballgame of Arizona with Todd Bostwick
Tuesday, February 20
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The Peaks - Senior Living Community
3150 North Winding Brook Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
NEH News and Other Opportunities

Check out news from the National Endowment for the Humanities including grant opportunities, summer teacher institutes, arts and culture updates, and more.

Discover Summer Teacher Seminars for K-12 educators. NEH supports a variety of seminars and institutes that "explore a variety of topics relevant to K-12 or undergraduate education in the humanities." Programs run one- to four- weeks, are tuition-free, and the NEH is offering stipends of $1,200 to $3,300 to help cover expenses.  Deadline to apply is March 1, 2018. Read more about Summer Seminars and Institutes.

New Grants for Humanities Infrastructure now available! Cultural institutions such as libraries, museums, archives, and others are eligible to receive up to $750,000 grants that build institutional capacity or infrastructure for long-term sustainability. The challenge grants require a match of nonfederal funds and may be used toward capitol expenditures such as construction or renovation projects, purchase of equipment, sharing of humanities collections, and more. Learn more on the NEH website.
The Social Buzz 

A few popular articles from our facebook and twitter feeds. Follow us to stay in the know! 
Thank you to our January donors

Ryan Bruce*
Tina Clark*
Barbara Hatch
Karl Kendall*
Linda L. Krumrie
Mary Lu Nunley*
Sally Shackelford
Emerson Yearwood*
Thomas and Cinda Cole-Pitchfork Ranch

*Current Arizona Humanities Board Member
Important Dates
  • February 16 - Board of Director's Meeting
  • February 19 - President's Day, Office Closed
  • March 25 - Arizona Humanities Awards
About Arizona Humanities
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 the understanding of the human experience with cultural, educational, and nonprofit organizations across Arizona.

Mission
Arizona Humanities builds a just and civil society by creating opportunities to explore our shared human experiences through discussion, learning and reflection.
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