Each fall, Mass Humanities brings a stellar group of scholars, journalists, and public officials together for a series of public conversations examining fundamental aspects of our democratic culture.  Past symposia have focused on the Presidency, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Supreme Court, and the role of the media in our democracy. (DETAILS)

The Mass Humanities benefit dinner is an opportunity for individuals and businesses to support the public humanities in Massachusetts, while enjoying a fine dinner in an elegant setting, and hearing an outstanding speaker following the Annual Public Symposium. Proceeds are used to fund the programs that Mass Humanities conducts. (DETAILS)

The Clemente Course in the Humanities provides tuition-free, college-level instruction, for college credit, to economically and educationally disadvantaged individuals aged 17 and older. The course is based on the premise that the insights and skills offered by study of the traditional humanities disciplines can provide people with crucial tools for gaining control over their lives and becoming engaged in their communities. (DETAILS)

FAIR is a humanities-based family reading program which brings children and their parents or caregivers together to enjoy entertaining presentations of award-winning picture books, and to share their responses to these stories. By modeling expressive storytelling and introducing the pleasures and rewards of exploring ideas, the program encourages parents to read to their children at home and to make visiting the library a regular family activity. (DETAILS)

Literature & Medicine: Humanities at the Heart of Health Care™ is an exciting workplace program that will give people involved in the delivery of health care an opportunity to come together and reflect on their roles as health care providers through the medium of literature. (DETAILS)

Mass Moments, is an electronic almanac of Massachusetts History. Every day, radio and podcast listeners and Internet users find a different story about events and people from three centuries of Massachusetts history. (DETAILS)

One important aspect of Mass Humanities` mission is the history of our own state. Because of the Commonwealth`s decentralized record keeping, towns and historical societies have significant collections. Our Massachusetts History efforts have a threefold purpose. (DETAILS)

Picturing America is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association, that brings reproductions of 40 masterpieces of American art into classrooms and libraries nationwide. Mass Humanities has created a pre-planned exhibit of 9 sets of the images, each on a theme, which can be exhibited in turn. Each theme uses 8 or 9 images and is accompanied by a handout/brochure with reading suggestions and internet research references suitable for family audiences. Since NEH has also made the images available online, anyone with an internet connection can also use these brochures to look at the images and explore the themes.  (DETAILS)

A group blog exploring how the humanities can help us understand and contribute to public policy conversations. This project draws on the talents of forty Massachusetts writers, documentary filmmakers and humanities teachers. Reader commentary is encouraged! (DETAILS)

An invitation to communally read and discuss Frederick Douglass's July 5, 1852 speech, “The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro,” leading up to this Fourth of July weekend. Everything you need to organize—the speech, discussion materials, supporting articles, PR guidelines are here. Also, join us on Tuesday, June 2nd at noon in front of the State House, where Massachusetts politicians and residents will join in reading and discussing the speech.  (DETAILS)

One of the most visible special projects the Foundation has undertaken in recent years is the State House Women`s Leadership Project. Designed to honor the contributions of women to public life in Massachusetts, the SHWLP created a major new work of art for the State House, a curriculum for middle and high school students, and a living history presentation. (DETAILS)

To mark the 150th anniversary of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry Armory, “An (Un)Civil Action“ features screenings of excerpts of the documentary, John Brown's Holy War, at various sites in Massachusetts, paired with archival materials about violent action in Massachusetts history, and followed by discussion of the issue of civic violence – violent action between or against citizens and (government) institutions – and our civic responsibilities. (DETAILS)

A sampling of some of the projects we have undertaken in the recent past. (DETAILS)