Explore the Mass Humanities funded projects awarded from 2000 to the present. Browse by grant type, city, region or keyword. Subscribe and receive news when grants are awarded. Interact with a state map of grants awarded!
We Who Believe in Freedom: Facilitated Readings by Influential Women
A four-part discussion series on influental works by Ella Baker, Lucy Stone, Dolores Huerta, and Ida B. Wells.
Roxbury, MA, Suffolk County
project director: Mary M. Earl
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,500
A Discussion of Representation of Marginalized Groups in Education and the Media
A public discussion, moderated by popular scholar and speaker Donovan Livingston, on the media's role in how equidty and diversity are understood and addressed in schools.
Lenox, MA, Berkshire County (Berkshire)
project director: Anastasia Whalen
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,040
The Mastheads
A five-part lecture and discussion series on Pittsfield local history.
Pittsfield, MA, Berkshire County (Berkshire)
project director: Tessa Kelly
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,500
Fruitlands Shakers: New Collection/New Audiences
Inventory and processing of the Fruitlands Shaker Collection of journals, church membership logs, sermons, and financial records.
Haverhill, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Alison Bassett
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $2,000
We Read Frederick Douglass as a Community: One Voice, Twelve Languages
Brockton's annual "Reading Frederick Douglass" event offered in twelve languages this year.
Brockton, MA, Plymouth County
project director: Madeline M. Smith
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $500
Reading Frederick Douglass and Founding Documents in Plainfield
Plainfield's third annual "Reading Frederick Douglass" event in July as well as an October reading of (parts of) "The Constitution of the United States followed by moderated discussion.
Plainfield, MA, Hampshire County
project director: Erik Burcroff
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $1,500
Family Adventures in Reading: A Children's Book Discussion Series on Immigration
A six-week reading and discussion series for children and their caregivers intended to provoke conversations on immigration.
Sharon, MA, Norfolk County (Southeast)
project director: Jessica Henderson
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,500
Music Mania TV: Honors the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Frederick Douglass
Two events celebrating the work and legacy of Frederick Douglass: a performed mock trial with a community discussion and Worcester's annual Reading Frederick Douglass event.
Worcester, MA, Worcester County
project director: Cedric Arno
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,000
Rediscovering Chester Square: A Lost Park in the South End
Inventory and creation of a finding aid for recently obtained records from the Chester Square Area Neighborhood Association.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Lauren Prescott
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $2,000
Denton Family Collection at Wellesley Historical Society
Necessary re-processing of a portion of the Denton Family Collection.
Wellesley Hills, MA, Norfolk County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Kathy Fahey
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $2,000
The Women in Frederick Douglass' Life & The Unsung Women of Social Change (You!)
A moderated discussion on Leigh Fought's recently published "Women in the World of Frederick Douglass", as well as Lynn's annual Reading Frederick Douglass event.
Lynn, MA, Essex County
project director: Wendy Joseph
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,500
Douglass Bicentennial: Visioning Anna Douglass
A book group focused on Anna Douglass, in addition to New Bedford's annual "Reading Frederick Douglass" event.
New Bedford, MA, Bristol County
project director: Lee Blake
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,359
Why Didn't I Know About This? Women's History Lectures and Discussion
A series of eleven discussion on "forgotten" episodes in women's history.
Falmouth, MA, Barnstable County
project director: Mark Schmidt
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,000
People and Places from Brewster's Past
Inventory and creation of a searchable catalog of the Society's Photographic Collection.
Brewster, MA, Barnstable County (Cape & Islands)
project director: Teresa Lamperti
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $2,000
School Violence and Social Responsibility: "The Burials" Play and Panel Discussion
Four moderated discussions to accompany performances of "The Burials", a play addressing gun violence in schools.
Newburyport, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Colleen Cullen
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,500
Black Creativity in Comics
A public event with graphic novelist and scholar John Jennings and other scholars of black comics, which will push audiences to consider questions about the history of black comics, Afro-futurism, colonialism, civil rights, and the future of publishing.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: L'Merchie Frazier
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $6,400
"The Day History Marched Down Our Streets" Exhibition Planning Grant
Research and planning for a permanent exhibit about the events based in Arlington on the first day of the American Revolution: April 19, 1775.
Arlington, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Sara Lundberg
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $7,500
G is for Gun: The Arming of Teachers in America - Interactive Website, MA Distribution
A film distribution project, including the creation of an interactive website and curriculum guide-both focused on constitutional law, ethics, and the history of conflict in the United States-as well as a large, public Massachusetts screening and discussion (preceding the film's broadcast on WGBY).
Dayton, OH, Montgomery County
project director: Kate Way
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $14,850
Through Our Eyes: Photographic Portraits of Immigrant Lives in Fall River
A photography-and-cultural-studies project with recently arrived immigrants in ESOL classes; adult students will find opportunities to document, reflect on, and share their own stories and experiences, while also learning from their classmates and from humanities-based texts and photographs.
Fall River, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: Andrea Klimt
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $8,800
We Are Here to Honor Liberty and to Denounce Slavery
The development of new mini-courses-regarding the radical social reformers who settled in Florence in the 1840s, and what their stories teach about contemporary issues-for visiting school groups, which will be brought to teachers in a professional development workshop.
Florence, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)
project director: Tom Goldscheider
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $7,500
Haul Away Together: History, Diversity and the Sea in Story and Song
The introduction of already-successful humanities-based programs to adults in the Boston area; the organization's programs-originally created for teens and young adults-are based on songs and stories of the sea that include the oft-ignored experiences of African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, young people, and women.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Bruce Berman
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $15,000
A Dual Legacy: Nathaniel Hawthorne and The House of the Seven Gables
A series of public programs based on the influence and legacy of Nathaniel Hawthorne to take place during the celebratory summer of 2018, which marks the 350th-anniversary of the House's founding.
Salem, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Julie Arrison-Bishop
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $5,025
Left on Pearl
The implementation of an online user interface to promote distribution of the film that will allow organizations and individuals to host screenings and to download a screening guide (with historical context and discussion questions).
Cambridge, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)
project director: Susan Rivo
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $15,000
John Adams Courthouse Visitors Film (Trailer)
The creation of a film trailer to raise funds for a visitors film-supported by input from historians and legal scholars-for the John Adams Courthouse.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Wendy Lement
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $15,000
Westford Stories: Permanent Exhibitions of the Westford Museum
The implementation of permanent exhibitions "Stories of Westford" and "History of Westford Academy," which will engage audiences in the history of Westford Academy-the state's oldest standing coeducational secondary school building-and Westford's beginnings.
Westford, MA, Middlesex County (Northeast)
project director: Penny Lacroix
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $7,500
Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour of Boston's Chinatown
The design and production of a walking-tour brochure of Boston's Chinatown, intended to complement the city's other self-guided walking tours, including the Freedom Trail, Black Heritage Trail, and Women's Trail.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Susan Chinsen
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $7,500
Religious History of Somerville
Research and planning for an exhibition on religious institutions and groups in Somerville, with the intention of tackling issues of immigration, religious tradition and history, and religious practices, and contemporary religious communities.
Somerville, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)
project director: Charan Devereaux
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $13,700
On the Move Forum: Exploring Women's History Through Diverse Perspectives and Inclusive Stories
A community dialogue and multimedia interactive presentation on women's history in downtown Springfield, followed by a public display on Bay Path's campus.
Longmeadow, MA, Hampden County (CT Valley)
project director: Janine Fondon
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $5,000
Taryn Simon: Public Humanities Programming
Development of new public humanities programs to complement an upcoming exhibition by Taryn Simon, whose art revolves around Russian culture and Russo-American relations.
North Adams, MA, Berkshire County (Berkshire)
project director: Alexandra Foradas
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $10,000
Activate the Arboretum
An environmental history project for Auburn Public School students that is led by a humanities scholar and includes lessons, a photography project, an exhibit, and a tour.
Auburn, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Sarah Connell
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500
Neighborhood Voices: Stories of the Families of the Dudley Street Neighborhood of Boston
An oral history project documenting the stories of families living in the Dudley Street neighborhood.
Roxbury, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Rosalind Everdell
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500
The 9 to 5 Project
Distribution of the documentary film "9 to 5" by means of community screenings and discussions-with a prepared discussion guide-in partnership with community organizations, unions, labor schools, and scholars in Boston and Western Massachusetts.
Yellow Springs, OH, Greene County
project director: Julia Reichert
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $10,000
Journey to Equality: the LGBTQ Civil Rights Movement
A series of humanities exhibits and events, held throughout North Central Massachusetts, about LGBTQ issues, rights, and histories.
Fitchburg, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Karen F. Mays
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $5,100
GLOW
An exhibition of eight historic neon road signs of Massachusetts businesses, c. 1927-1970, related research and accompanying panels, and a moderated panel discussion.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Lucas Cowan
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $10,000
The Future of Our Past: Building Capacity in the History Community
Implementation funds for eight local history organizations to implement capacity-building projects after completing six intensive workshops on best practices.
Deerfield, MA, Franklin County (CT Valley)
project director: Clifford McCarthy
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500
African Cultural Conversation Series
A monthly series of humanities discussions and cultural programs aimed toward-and developed with-Waltham's large African immigrant community.
Waltham, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Juliet Najjumba
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $10,000
Dialoguing with Indigenous Americans in our Community through Peter Pan
Scholarly consulting, the creation of informative playbills, and a post-performance discussion of a student production of Peter Pan.
Ashburnham, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Jeffrey Aubuchon
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $4,615
Afro Latin Folktales Project
An out-of-school literature and theatre project for youth leaders to explore themes of immigration, cultural assimilation, and belonging in relationship to Boston immigrant communities.
Jamaica Plain, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Eva Farrell
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $15,000
The Veteran Experience and the Social Contract: A Performance and Discussion Series
A three-part performance-and-discussion series on the veteran experience designed to attract and engage both veterans and civilians.
New Bedford, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: Rosemary Gill
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $12,500
Windmill Point Historic Interpretation
Permanent outdoor local history interpretive panels on the US Coast Guard presence in Hull.
Hull, MA, Plymouth County (Southeast)
project director: Victoria Stevens
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500