Program Officer's Message |
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Caroline Gillespie
Departing Program Officer
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Finding Meaning Through the Humanities
After graduating from the University of Mississippi in 2013, I moved to Washington, D.C. and worked for a political fundraising firm. For the first few months, it was a thrill—I worked in an office on Capitol Hill and routinely interacted with House members. I was in the room for high-profile lobbying events. I lived two blocks away from the U.S. Capitol and walked by it to and from work every day. It felt like I was at ground zero for where beneficial change was happening and I was excited to be a part of it.
After a few months of calling and asking for money on behalf of politicians I didn’t really know, I began to realize I was homesick—not just for my family in Mississippi, but for the place itself. So after almost a year in D.C., I moved home to Mississippi and was fortunate to begin a job at the Mississippi Humanities Council. I had heard of the MHC before and had a vague sense of what it did, but I was excited by the opportunity to work there and saw it as the perfect landing spot after my time in D.C.
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"What initially began as a convenient landing spot has
turned into much more; watching the work the MHC does, the
partnerships it cultivates and supports, and the individual
partners that make all of this work happen is truly amazing."
Now, after nearly seven years with the MHC, I’m moving on to new adventures. I’ve spent the last few weeks closing out projects, working on transition details, and, in the process, reflecting on my time with the MHC and what the last seven years have meant. What initially began as a convenient landing spot has turned into much more; watching the work the MHC does, the partnerships it cultivates and supports, and the individual partners that make all of this work happen is truly amazing. From family reading programs for Spanish-speaking families, to prison education programs for incarcerated Mississippians, to grant lines for public libraries to purchase books about anti-racism, to happy hour discussion programs, to bringing Smithsonian exhibits to Mississippi communities and beyond, the MHC is supporting and conducting some of the most meaningful cultural work in our state right now.
When people asked why I decided to move back to Mississippi, I told them I felt disconnected in D.C., raising tens of thousands of dollars for politicians that in no way directly benefited Mississippi, and that I wanted to come home and do something more meaningful. The work of the MHC is that meaningful work. Through its partnerships and programs, the MHC uses the humanities to confront our difficult past and help imagine a more equitable future, to connect us to each other, and to share our stories and experiences.
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There is so much more work to be done to make Mississippi a safe and welcome place for all its residents to live and thrive. We are nowhere near the finish line, and we continue to face setbacks over and over again. But I leave the MHC confident this organization will continue to lead us all in the right direction. |
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MHC to Distribute Federal ARP funds to Support Cultural Organizations
When Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, they included $135M in supplemental funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities to assist humanities organizations and cultural institutions affected by the pandemic. Humanities councils will be receiving over $51 million to distribute in their states. The Mississippi Humanities Council will be launching two different ARP grant programs to assist our state’s humanities organizations.
ARP Museum Relief Grants will offer up to $20,000 in operational funds to humanities-based museums that have suffered significant economic losses due to COVID. The deadline to apply is June 16.
In an effort to help other humanities organizations recover from COVID, the MHC is also launching ARP Humanities Recovery Grants. Recovery can be defined in multiple ways, including: developing new public humanities programs to reengage with audiences; transition to outdoor, digital, and virtual programs; and capacity-building training and strategic planning related to coronavirus and the economic crisis. Eligible organizations may apply for up to $15,000. Up to half of the request may be for operational expenses. Deadlines for ARP Humanities Recovery Grants will be July 16 and August 16.
These grants are open to nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, state and local governmental agencies, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. Any applications from college or university entities must be focused on public-facing humanities programming beyond their campus community. Public libraries are not eligible to apply since the ARP has set aside funds for public libraries, which will be distributed by the Mississippi Library Commission. Arts-focused organizations should contact the Mississippi Arts Commission for information about its ARP grant program.
“Just as we did last year with CARES Act funds, the Mississippi Humanities Council is pleased to be able to distribute these federal relief funds to help support our state’s cultural sector,” said MHC executive director Dr. Stuart Rockoff. “Our goal is to use these ARP funds to help a wide array of humanities-based cultural organizations recover from the challenges brought on by the pandemic and help them thrive in the future.”
More information about these grants, including grant guidelines and applications, can be found on the MHC website.
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Interested in applying for an ARP grant for your organization? We're here to help! The MHC is hosting a virtual grant workshop May 27 and June 2. The workshop is free but registration is required. |
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MHC Prison Education Celebrates Successful Semester
On May 11, eighteen students at Mississippi State Penitentiary, Parchman, celebrated earning their first college credits.
The students, part of the Mississippi Humanities Council’s Prison Education Program, enrolled in English courses through Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC). They completed the courses at Parchman through remote, but synchronous learning.
Also this semester, eight students at Alcorn County Correctional Facility (ACCF) at Corinth successfully completed six hours from Northeast Mississippi Community College (NEMCC). After the ACCF population received COVID 19 vaccinations, NEMCC offered in-person instruction.
The MHC Prison Education program creates partnerships between community colleges and prisons to offer for-credit humanities college coursework. A grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation funds these courses.
At the Parchman ceremony, representatives from the Mississippi Legislature, Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), MDCC, and MHC congratulated the students on their accomplishments.
MHC assistant director Carol Andersen explained how enthusiastically the partners worked together to offer the courses. She then told the students, “even more exhilarating was to watch your response.” Praising the students for their commitment, MDOC Director of Education Shaniece Mabry said, “The success of the program depended on you, the students.”
In both the NEMCC and MDCC courses, average grades were higher than for traditional classes. In their course evaluations, according to MDCC Vice President for Instruction Teresa Webster, students so enjoyed the learning experience they wanted even more class time. Three students made public remarks at the completion ceremony, thanking the teachers for their patience and helping them to believe in themselves.
Members of the Mississippi Legislature attending the May 11 ceremony included Representatives Abe Hudson, Otis Anthony, Tracey Rosebud and Senator Sarita Simons. Each expressed support for the program and encouraged the students. “It is so refreshing to be a part of a new chapter at MDOC,” said Hudson, “You are an example to family, friends, and to me.”
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Smithsonian Exhibit
'Voices and Votes'
Host Sites Announced
In March 2022, the newest Smithsonian traveling exhibition “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” will arrive in Mississippi and visit six sites
during its 10-month stay.
The six host sites were selected earlier this month by a selection committee, who reviewed applications from potential host sites around the state.
The Library of Hattiesburg Petal and Forrest County (Hattiesburg), Hinds Community College (Utica), Northeast Mississippi Community College (Booneville), Pascagoula High School Performing Arts Center (Pascagoula), Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Natchez), and Catfish Row Museum (Vicksburg) will each host the exhibition for six-week periods from March 2022 through January 2023.
In addition to hosting the exhibition, each site will develop a local complementary exhibit and a series of public humanities programs in conjunction with the exhibition, with the help of Voice and Votes state scholar Dr. Rebecca Tuuri. Dr. Tuuri is an associate professor of history at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she teaches classes on African American history, women’s and gender history, and the Civil Rights Movement. She is currently conducting research on the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and its connection to the Civil Rights Movement.
Voices and Votes, an exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS) division, takes a broad look at American democracy—from the American Revolution and expanding suffrage, to civil rights and casting ballots. It explores who can vote, whose voices are heard, the responsibilities of American citizens, how we can encourage more people to participate in our democracy, and more. Exhibition sections explore the origins of American democracy, the struggles to obtain and keep the vote, the machinery of democracy, the right to petition and protest beyond the ballot and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Voices and Votes features historical and contemporary photos; educational and archival video; engaging multimedia interactives with short games; and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material.
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'Crossroads' Heads to the Delta
On May 14, the Smithsonian traveling exhibit Crossroads: Change in Rural America opened to the public at the Museum of the Mississippi Delta in Greenwood, where it will remain on display through June 25.
In conjunction with Crossroads, the Museum of the Mississippi Delta has organized a series of public programs that are free and open to the public to attend. These programs include a reading and discussion of Mississippi author Ralph Eubanks’ new book A Place Like Mississippi; a presentation by Crossroads state scholar Dr. John Green; children’s workshops; and much more. More information on Crossroads in Greenwood can be found on the MHC calendar.
After closing in Greenwood in late June, the exhibit will travel to Waveland, where it will be on display at the Waveland Ground Zero Hurricane Museum through mid-August before it leaves the state. Through artifacts, images, text, and interactive elements, Crossroads explores rural identity, the importance of land, how rural communities manage change, and much more.
Since it arrived in Mississippi in September 2020, Crossroads has visited Senatobia, Mount Olive, Scooba, and Columbia. Crossroads’ Mississippi tour is supported by a generous grant from Entergy Mississippi.
More information about the exhibition and its Mississippi tour can be found on the MHC website.
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MHC Welcomes Summer Intern
Juliet Buckholdt, a rising junior at Mississippi State University, is interning with the MHC for Summer 2021.
Buckholdt is an art major concentrating in graphic design at the College of Art, Architecture and Design at Mississippi State University. She is already hard at work, using her skills and eye for design to help promote MHC events and campaigns.
"I want to see American Dream stories that start and stay in Mississippi," said Juliet. "I want people here to believe they can succeed and have more than enough resources when they try. I am very thankful for the opportunity to be involved with an organization doing so much to change that narrative."
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Ideas on Tap Wraps Up Virtual Spring Series
On May 18, the MHC hosted the second in a two-part series about the role of government in American society.
The May 18 program, “Too Much or Not Enough? Bootstraps vs. Bailouts” explored the social safety net and how government approaches welfare in America. Panelists included Sarah Stripp (Springboard to Opportunities) and Brandon Jones (Southern Poverty Law Center). Dr. Temika Simmons, MHC board member and director of the Local Government Leadership Institute at Delta State University, moderated the program.
An earlier program in the series, “Too Much or Not Enough? Government’s Changing Role in Healthcare Access” examined the United States’ healthcare system, how it has changed over time, and how initiatives like Medicaid have operated in Mississippi. The panel featured Dr. Charlene Collier (UMMC & MSDH); Richard Robertson (Mississippi Hospital Association); and Dr. Amy Forbes (Millsaps College). Bobby Harrison, senior political reporter for Mississippi Today, moderated the program.
Both programs took place virtually and were broadcast live to the MHC Facebook page. If you missed either program, you can view the April healthcare program here and the May welfare program here.
Ideas on Tap will return in the fall with in-person programs.
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MHC Partnership with Mississippi Public Broadcasting Explores Electoral Engagement among Mississippians
The Mississippi Humanities Council, in partnership with Mississippi Public Broadcasting, has recently concluded a series of radio and television programs examining electoral engagement in Mississippi. The Mississippi programs were part of the national initiative "Why It Matters" funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation through the Federation of State Humanities Councils.
Over a six-month timespan beginning just ahead of the November 2020 election, the MHC-MPB partnership produced radio segments and television broadcasts exploring the candidates and the issues Mississippi voters would make choices on in the fall election, as well as the intricacies of voting and election laws in our state and ongoing barriers to civic participation. Topics covered included the debate over legalizing medical marijuana in Mississippi, an initiative to a adopt a new state flag, lawsuits that challenged absentee voting restrictions in the state, the history of how the electoral college process works, and a resolution that established runoffs for gubernatorial and state office elections.
The project also produced a series of eight brief educational broadcasts entitled The Voters Handbook, which aired repeatedly ahead of regularly scheduled programming on MPB television. The segments examined topic such as how congressional district lines are drawn in Mississippi, how absentee voting works here, how to register to vote, how citizens can lose their right to vote, and more.
The MHC-MPB program partnership culminated with a special edition of MPB’s @ISSUE titled Your Vote, Your Voice. The episode took an in-depth look at absentee voting, barriers to voting and how the Census and redistricting in Mississippi impacts citizens.
Several of the MHC-MPB programs are available as podcasts.
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Mississippi Archaeology Expo: A Hands-On Family Fair
The Mississippi Archaeology Expo, with support from the Mississippi Humanities Council, returns this month after a hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions on public events.
The 2021 Expo coincides with national Preservation Month, providing a public educational event showcasing preservation and archaeology in Mississippi and offering activities for all ages. The Expo will take place at the Old Capitol Museum, 100 State Street, Jackson, Saturday, May 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Archaeology Expo will feature live demonstrations of archaeological survey techniques such as ground penetrating radar (GPR) and an archaeological excavation unit where participants can learn about archaeology in Mississippi.
“The Expo is a hands-on family fair for school-age children as well as for adults,” says Cindy Carter-Davis, archaeologist and project coordinator. “The Expo is a fun and educational event that showcases Mississippi’s cultural and archaeological heritage and, ultimately, encourages Mississippians to support the preservation and conservation of important sites in our state.”
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