Michigan Humanities Enews
July and August 2019
Message from our President

Dear Humanities Friends,

Summer is quickly passing, and with each sunshine-filled day, Michigan Humanities staff are preparing for the launch of our newest initiative focusing on youth-led community conversations, philanthropy, and leadership. Our Board of Directors is firmly committed to the future of leadership, and we discussed the final particulars of this endeavor at our retreat on August 8, in Grand Rapids. 
Michigan Humanities is also asking for YOUR humanities stories. We hope that you follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) as we will be asking throughout August for your favorite location on the mitten and the U.P. by sharing a humanities photo and story with our constituents and friends. 

Jessica Ryan, our wonderful summer intern, is demonstrating in front of her favorite office bookcase here at Michigan Humanities’ home. But we want to see YOU and your favorite humanities locations all over this great state. Instructions can be found on our social media accounts starting August 20!

Enjoy a good book, an arts and cultural performance, a museum historical society, or the wonders of natural settings in our beautiful state. Michigan Humanities Board and staff are working hard to ensure we bring even more opportunities your way to keep our mission thriving.

Shelly Hendrick Kasprzycki
President & CEO
Fall 2019 Humanities Grants are closing soon!

Applications are now being accepted for Fall 2019 Humanities Grants!

Humanities Grants provide up to $15,000 in grant support for humanities-based, public programs. Projects using a Humanites Grant connect us to Michigan’s rich cultural heritage and historical resources. These grants emphasize collaboration among cultural, educational, and community-based organizations, to serve Michigan with public humanities programming that examines the definition of our culture, our state, and ourselves. 

Applications will be accepted until August 22, 2019. Awards will be made in early November 2019.

To learn more about the grant or discuss your project ideas, contact James Nelson at jnelson@mihumanities.org , or visit the Humanities Grant page on our website, here .
bookfest
Apply to be part of the Arts and Humanities Touring Directory

Michigan-based artists are invited to apply to be included in the Arts and Humanities Touring Directory. The Arts and Humanities Touring Directory features some of the state’s most-talented performing and visual artists, and humanities presenters. The directory offers artists and humanities professionals the opportunity to present their work throughout the state.

Partnered with the Arts and Humanities Touring Grant Program, it is a one-stop resource for many organizations looking to hold public arts and culture events.

 Applications will be accepted until October 1, 2019.

Know an artist that might be interested? Share this newsletter with them, or have them contact Jen Rupp at jrupp@mihumanities.org to learn more.
Humanities unify us: reflections on a visit to the U.P.
Sean Everett, Michigan Humanities Board Member

As a lifelong Michigan resident, it only took 32 years and joining the Michigan Humanities board to visit the Upper Peninsula. Recently I had the opportunity to visit the Pickford Community Library and Museum of Ojibwa Culture in St. Ignace. 
 
The Pickford Library Team, led by Ann Marie Smith, is busy with a Summer Reading Program and gearing up to host Museum on Main Street's Crossroads: Change in Rural America exhibit. From a makerspace to community conversations and everything in between, the Pickford Library is a hub of cultural activity in the community. 
Visiting the Museum of Ojibwa Culture in St. Ignace was an experience that will be with me the rest of my life. Shirley Sorrels, the executive director of the museum, took me on a tour of the museum starting outside in the Sculpture and Clan Park and ending inside with their American Indian Boarding School Exhibit. I left the museum with a new understanding and curiosity to learn more about Ojibwa culture. 
 
When people would ask me "what exactly are the humanities?" I would take a moment and think before responding because it's a word that previously was hard for me to define. After my journey to the U.P. and having the opportunity to engage in conversations about community and history, I have a better understanding of the humanities. 
 
Humanities are the one thing that unifies all of us. 
Upcoming Great Michigan Read Events

Registration for the 2019 20 Great Michigan Read What the Eyes Don’t See , by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha—is underway! Libraries, high schools, colleges, book clubs, arts and cultural institutions, and other organizations around the state are invited to register as partners via our online system. Please visit the Great Michigan Read page on the Michigan Humanities website to sign up.

As we get started with the 2019–20 program, here are some dates and resources to keep in mind:

  • Late August and early September: We will begin shipping copies of What the Eyes Don’t See and supplementary educational and promotional materials to registered partners.
  • September 16, 5 to 8 p.m.: Kick off the Great Michigan Read with Dr. Mona at the Flint Farmers' Market! Meet Dr. Mona and join her in a facilitated conversation with Q&A to follow. Plus, get your copy of What the Eyes Don't See signed. Visit the MH website in mid-August for more details, including RSVP information.
Applications for 2020 Poetry Out Loud are now open

The Poetry Out Loud program encourages high school students to learn about poetry through research, memorization, and recitation to help them master public speaking skills and build self confidence. Teachers throughout the state are invited to use the program in their classrooms and select a school champion for the State Finals competition.

You can read more about POL, here , and register for the program here .

The last day to submit an application is November 21, 2019.

We hope your high school will join us for POL! We are excited to get started and are available for any questions you may have about the program, the registration, or the programming schedule for this year.
Looking for POL updates this summer? Visit our website , Facebook pages ( Michigan Humanities   Michigan Poetry Out Loud ),  Twitter , and  Instagram  for poems, program updates, and events taking place around the state.
Photo by James Kegley .
New Collaborator Feature for your grant and program applications

What is the Collaborator Feature?

Now available in our grant and program application system, the Collaborator feature allows you to invite colleagues to collaborate on your grant or program request. You can set permissions for whether the person you decide to invite to collaborate is able to view, edit, or submit forms within the request.

How do I access the Collaborator Feature?

Once you have started your application, in the upper right corner, click Collaborate. A window will pop up allowing you to invite someone, set the permissions for that person, and write a message about what you would like them to collaborate on in the request. 

How can I use the Collaborator Feature?

This feature is especially helpful for projects that require multiple person's input, such as Humanities Grant applicants with project advisors and subject experts, or Poetry Out Loud teachers inviting their student champion to complete their school champion form. 
Apply today for an Action Grant

Action Grants provide up to $750 to Michigan-based nonprofits to support public humanities programs.

Use an Action Grant to share your innovative perspective of the humanities with your community. Humanities programming cultivates new ideas to inspire action and strengthen our communities and our democracy. We hope these grants will help Michigan nonprofits develop original public humanities work that creates thoughtful dialogue challenging ideals and prejudices in the world. Contact Jennifer Rupp if you have questions or would like to discuss a potential project!

Read more about how to apply, and grant guidelines HERE.
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