More than $250,000 in funding supports humanities institutions, programs.
A new round of grants from Mass Humanities will give museums, historical societies and other cultural organizations the opportunity to reach their audiences digitally as the COVID-19 pandemic persists. From laptops to website upgrades, mobile walking tours to virtual exhibits, the Digital Capacity Grants announced today provide residents with access to their heritage despite social distancing.
Mass Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, awarded more than $250,000 to 59 non-profits in the state.
“These grants are part of our ongoing response to the pandemic, but there always provide a preview of the future of public humanities programming,” said Mass Humanities Executive Director Brian Boyles. “As we begin to rebuild from the impacts of this crisis, our communities deserve the chance to engage with each other and our cultural heritage. It’s also clear that the digital space offers organizations the chance to build their audiences.”
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations have pivoted to offering creative, accessible, and free online humanities platforms and programs. In many cases, these programs have found audiences far beyond traditional in-person attendees. While digital divides remain, virtual and hybrid programs reach over entrenched barriers like accessibility of locations, neighborhood segregation, competing responsibilities for working people, and more.
The funding is made possible through support from Mass Cultural Council.
