Honoring Humanities Work Throughout Michigan
Greetings, Humanities Friends!
 
Over the weekend, my husband and I strolled around historic McCourtie Park near Jackson, Michigan, and I was embraced by its scenery. With its beautiful cement bridges, I thought of the quote by Hal Borland that says, “Of all the seasons, autumn offers the most to man and requires the least of him.”

It seems nature can help us attain some peace and see again what is right with the world, rather than be overwhelmed with what is wrong. We hope that you will find some peace and joy that humanities can bring through a book or a song; a thoughtful poem or powerful discussion; seeing a work of art and feeling the welling of beauty within you. 

In September, we celebrated the outstanding work of several humanities organizations and individuals. Thank you for being a part of our mission and values. Bringing humanities to life with each community in Michigan means we remember who we are and what binds us together. We appreciate the bounty of fall, and the abundance of humanity. 

 
Shelly Hendrick Kasprzycki
President & CEO
Who We Are
MH Board and Staff
What makes community life worthwhile? Is it the relationships you build over time with family, friends, and co-workers? What about the good times and memories from attending annual festivals and events? Or is it the experience of working through difficult times that bonds us together? Read more...
Congratulations to the Michigan Humanities Awards winners!
Outstanding Humanities Supporters
| Dr. Willis Patterson, Our Own Thing Chorale |
| M.L. Liebler |

Humanities Champions of the Year
Peter Middleton and Greg Dykhouse, Black River Public School

Community Impact Partner of the Year
Museum of Ojibwa Culture
If you weren't able to join us for the first virtual Michigan Humanities Awards on September 17, you can access a video of the program on the front page of our Michigan Humanities website or via Comcast.

Curious to learn more about the organizations and individuals who were honored? Visit the Michigan Humanities Awards page for details about this year's winners.

Want to support Michigan Humanities' ongoing work with cultural organizations around the state? Visit our donation website for details about varying levels of support and the accompanying gifts.

We look forward to hearing your feedback about this year's Michigan Humanities Awards here.
Programs and Grants
Bridging Michigan
Bridging Michigan is a new event series and grant opportunity that sparks in-depth conversation and action around systemic inequities. Grant applications are now open, and available for up to $1,500.

Join us for this month's online events:

October 1, 7-8 p.m.: Dr. Paul Elam and Troy Rienstra will be in conversation about the history and impacts of mass incarceration.

October 22, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.:

Katena Cain will present a workshop about advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at your organization.
Arts & Humanities Touring Directory
If you are an artist interested in being listed in the Arts and Humanities Touring Directory, applications are now open!
Michigan based artists can apply until October 15. 

Artists included in the Directory benefit from funding offered by Michigan Humanities to Michigan nonprofits that allows up to 40 percent of the fee for performance and travel to be reimbursed. 

The Directory is housed on the MH website and marketed through the monthly e-news and at conferences and workshops across the state. Over 100 nonprofits engage with artists in the Directory every year. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to increase your performances! 
Great Michigan Read

The 2019-20 Great Michigan Read is extending programming into late 2020 and early 2021 to accommodate rescheduled events with Dr. Mona, author of this year's selection, What the Eyes Don't See. Visit the GMR events page to register for upcoming virtual events in Grand Rapids and Houghton!

Free books and funding through GMR Action Grants are still available and new partners are invited to register today. Have future GMR title suggestions? Submit them here.
Action Grants
Use an Action Grant to share your innovative perspective of the humanities with your community, and cultivate new ideas to inspire action and strengthen our communities and our democracy.
Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud (POL) registration for 2020-21 is now open online. 

POL in Michigan is part of the national poetry recitation program and competition, and all materials are provided to each high school at no cost. Participating high schools host their own competitions and select a student to represent their school at the state finals.

In order to ensure the safety and health of all participants, the 2021 POL State Finals for Michigan and National Finals will be held virtually.

High school teachers are invited to register for the 2020-21 program by December 4.
Our Mission
2008 Michigan Author Homecoming
To inspire us to come together in creative and freely expressed ways to deepen our understanding of ourselves and enrich our communities.
Our Vision
For all people of Michigan to experience and understand the importance of humanities to enrich lives.
Values
  • Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity
  • Discovery and Understanding
  • Authentic Conversation
  • Respectful Collaboration
  • Meaningful Experiences
Pillars
  • Build awareness and excitement for humanities in everyday life.
  • Achieve best practices and sustainability for all humanities programs and services in Michigan.
New blog post: Reflections from a Michigan Humanities programs assistant
Late this summer, our staff team bid farewell to Hanna Espie, the Michigan Humanities programs assistant who joined us in late 2018. Hanna is embarking on a new adventure in a graduate program for Ecological Economics at the University of Edinburgh, and arrived in Scotland in late September.

Our most recent blog post shares Hanna's reflection about working with Michigan's extraordinary humanities community. 
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