Dear Friends,

I hope this note finds you and yours well.

This third weekly roundup of #HumanitiesInTheAgeOfSocialDistancing offers ways to connect our civic and cultural lives during this unprecedented public health crisis. We will continue to share resources on social media—Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @rihumanities and here, each Friday, where we’ll highlight our top picks from the week. 

Important news:
As part of the federal CARES Act, the Humanities Council will be receiving supplemental funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities that will include general operating support to humanities organizations in Rhode Island. We are awaiting guidance from NEH and will let you know immediately when our application portal is open. We are grateful to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation for their support of this funding as well as NEH Chair Jon Parrish Peede for his leadership.
We’re all in this together,
Elizabeth Francis
Executive Director
and the Humanities Council Team
In case you missed it – here are just a few of the ways Rhode Islanders are using the humanities to connect virtually.
Stories for the Soul (round 2):
Acclaimed RI storyteller Len Cabral is usually traveling to classrooms and auditoriums in schools around the state at this time of year. Instead, he's bringing his stories to everyone, on Facebook Live. “I hope they bring a smile to your face and inspire you to tell stories at home.”

The 2017 recipient of the Tom Roberts Prize for Creative Achievement in the Humanities, Len will be LIVE on Wednesdays and Fridays at 2pm , for as long he can — follow his page here !
Beaches and restaurants closed? Not in our cultural memory! Hit the Rhode (virtually):
For those missing the culinary experiences that make RI unique, check out the Ocean State Sampler: Foodways & Cultural Heritage Rhode Tour . If you’re dreaming about days spent soaking in the sunshine, check out the Memorable Beaches tour to learn more about five of our state’s most interesting beaches. Explore Rhode Tour: rhodetour.org from your computer or use the free app available for smartphones.
Readings – a sampling of pieces to keep you inspired and connected:

Google Arts & Culture’s Open Heritage site makes it possible to explore iconic locations around the world in 3D and offers insight into the tools of digital preservation.

Take a trip to Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral and gain insights into its indigenous and colonial histories, enter the Lukang Longshan Temple in Taiwan a 12th century Buddhist sanctuary, or explore the heart of Neolithic Orkney in Scotland . The opportunities are endless and for now, at least, no plane ticket required.

God’s Little Acre, in Newport, Rhode Island is one of the oldest African American burial grounds in the country. Now, thanks to a collaboration between Newport’s Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission and Brown University archeology graduate students there’s a wealth of detailed information that’s been digitized and is publicly accessible. Read more and explore this remarkable part of Rhode Island history.
Upcoming Virtual Opportunities & Educational Materials

LIVE: Brush Up Your Shakespeare! Tune in to the Gamm’s YouTube Channel Friday at 1:00pm for Episode 2 of for Brush Up Your Shakespeare , where Artistic Director Tony Estrella deconstructs and demystifies the balcony scene from Romeo & Juliet and answers your questions live! Missed Episode 1: To Be or Not To Be? Watch it here!

Kanopy is offering free access to more than 30 films in its collection and access to its entire Kids Collection for a limited time. Films can be streamed via ppl.kanopy.com (if you have a Providence Public Library card) or by downloading the Kanopy mobile app for iOS, Amazon Fire, Android, AppleTV, Roku or Chromecast.

Resources for the Humanities Sector During the Pandemic : This list will be added to as the Humanities Council is made aware of resources available to the sector as we weather this storm together. Check back often.