The Clemente Course in the Humanities

This is a groundbreaking program built around a core promise: everyone has a right to share in and benefit from the cultural richness of our world.

About this program

The Clemente Course in the Humanities gives Massachusetts residents from historically and systemically excluded communities the opportunity to take free, college-level courses where they can connect with others over civic issues, author stories about our democracy and develop leadership skills.

Through this
course, you can...

ATTEND

tuition-free, college level courses in art history, creative writing, literature and philosophy.

earn

credit from Bard college and author powerful anthologies like: Clementinos: Voices from the Clemente Writing Project; We, Too, Are America; and This is your Democracy.

Spark

new ideas about historical texts and connect with your community about current civic issues.

CREATE

leadership, academic and employment opportunities for the future.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Students will study art history, creative writing, literature, US history and philosophy in this 110 course led by humanities professors from Bard College.

Students will complete writing assignments, engage in classroom discussions and participate in field trips to cultural institutions. The course is completely free, including books and assistance with public transportation to get to and from class. Several sites also provide free childcare.

Classes are held in the evening twice a week for two semesters (may vary depending on site). Each class lasts two hours.

Semesters begin in September and end in May. Students who complete the course are eligible for six credits from Bard College and will have the opportunity to participate in graduation ceremonies.

The course is open to adults age 17 and over. Prerequisites for participation include a high school diploma or equivalent certification, and a family income of 150% of the federal poverty line or below.

  1. Visit the website for the Clemente Course in your city for information on enrollment deadlines and course schedules.
  2. Once enrolled, prospective students will complete an interview with the site director.
  3. If you have any questions regarding your enrollment, you can contact the site coordinator.

The class is free. Students receive free books and assistance with public transportation. Several sites also provide free childcare. Faculty are paid stipends and the host sites receive support to make the program possible.

We offer the Clemente Course in six cities across Massachusetts including:

Brockton
Contact
DORCHESTER
Contact
NEW BEDFORD
Contact
Springfield
Contact
Worcester
Contact
HOLYOKE
Contact

Where it
all began

Inspired by a visit to a correctional facility in 1995, writer Earl Shorris started a course with faculty of fellow scholars at the Roberto Clemente Family Guidance Center in the city’s Lower East Side neighborhood. Graduates of that first course went on to become dentists, nurses, fashion designers, and drug counselors with two participants later earning their PhDs. Since 1996, over 10,000 students have benefited from the Clemente Course in the Humanities. Classes continue to take place across the U.S., and around the world.

In 1999, we brought the Clemente Course to Massachusetts to give everyone, regardless of race, income and educational background, the opportunity to enrich their lives through the humanities. Overcoming formidable obstacles such as economic instability, health challenges, family responsibilities and disability, we have seen over 750 Massachusetts residents graduate from the program.

Publications

With the help of the Mellon Foundation and the Federation of State Humanities Councils, we’ve been able to publish writings from graduates of the Clemente Course, including We, Too, Are America and This is Your Democracy.

THANK YOU TO

OUR SUPPORTERS

The Clemente Course is made possible with support from private foundations, individual donors and funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Mass Cultural Council. If you’re interested in supporting the Clemente Course, consider donating or contacting Jill Brevik, Director of Development, for more information.

Al and Sally Griggs
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, through the Federation of State Humanities Councils
The Beveridge Family Foundation, Inc.
F. Roscoe and Vila B. Webber 1985 Charitable Trust
Marcia Butzel
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
PAUL AND EDITH BABSON FOUNDATION
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS DARTMOUTH
WELLS FARGO FOUNDATION

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Let’s do more good
work together

The work we do wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of donors like you. Make a donation today and help build a better Massachusetts.

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connected

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