In the Archives with Ken Casey

A benefit for Mass Humanities.

Celebrating a Massachusetts storyteller

The Massachusetts Storyteller of the Year Award, launched in 2025, honors artists and changemakers who deepen our understanding of Massachusetts, its communities, and the power of the humanities to shape a more just future.

This year, we honor Ken Casey, frontman of the Dropkick Murphys, for a career defined by music, activism, and archival storytelling. From labor rights to Irish American identity, Casey’s lyrics and leadership amplify the voices and struggles of working people. The September 25 event will feature a conversation with Casey about five songs that capture his remarkable career.

Event details

A Critical Moment for the Humanities
in Massachusetts

In April 2025, Mass Humanities lost 35% of its annual funding due to the abrupt elimination of its National Endowment for the Humanities grant. This decision threatens the future of humanities programs in underserved communities across the state.

Our September 25 benefit will raise essential funds to ensure that local libraries, historical societies, and cultural nonprofits can continue to serve their communities.

Our event with Ken Casey is not just a celebration—it’s a lifeline for the public humanities.

$ 0 M

total grants provided since 2021

ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED across the commonwealth in 2024

About Ken Casey

Ken Casey

Ken Casey co-founded the Dropkick Murphys in Quincy in 1996. Named after John “Dropkick” Murphy, a local professional wrestler who operated a rehabilitation facility, the band forged a signature sound that combines punk rock, Irish traditional music, and a uniquely Boston-centric view of the world. In 2004, the band’s song “Tessie” became an anthem for the World Champion Red Sox, and the Dropkicks’ ties to the team continue to bring their music to a wider audience. Casey wrote the 2005 platinum single, “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” after delving into the archives of American folk singer Woody Guthrie. The band released two albums based on Guthrie material, This Machine Still Kills Fascists (2022) and Okemah Rising (2023), reimagining the folk singer’s work songs as urgent calls for justice today. The band’s Claddagh Fund has raised more than $20M since its inception and supports community-based non-profits, with a focus on programs that support children, veterans’ organizations and alcohol and drug rehabilitation.

sponsorship opportunities

Your sponsorship supports the survival of grassroots storytelling and cultural vibrancy in Massachusetts. Choose the level that aligns with your values and visibility goals:

All sponsors are recognized on the Mass Humanities website and social media, and in displays and announcements during the event.

Contact Diane Feltner, Development Manager
dfeltner@masshumanities.org | 413-203-6239

Presenting - $50,000

Lead the movement for storytelling and equity

Present the Storyteller Award on stage
Top billing in all event communications
Opportunity for brief remarks during the program
Branded booth or signage at the event
Recognition in all press and advertising
20 event tickets
5 signed copies of For the People
10 social media features
Headline ad in online program
Recognition in grantee materials statewide

Visionary - $25,000

Champion public access to the humanities

Premier logo placement in all materials
Mention in press and from the stage
12 event tickets
2 signed copies of For the People
7 social media features
Featured ad in online program

Luminary - $10,000

Shine a light on Massachusetts stories

Logo featured in event and program communications
6 event tickets
1 signed copy of For the People
5 social media posts
Ad in online program

Narrator - $5,000

Support voices rooted in place and community

Logo in all event materials and signage
4 event tickets
3 social media posts
Ad in online program

Patron - $2,500

Invest in stories that build understanding

Name included in event and online promotions
2 event tickets
1 social media mention
Name listed in program

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, we can continue our work in making the humanities more accessible to all residents of Massachusetts. If you want to help continue this work, consider becoming a sponsor.

2025 sponsors

VISIONARY

luminary

Narrator

Patron

John Burgess
Falcetti Music
Gourmet Caterers
Hadley Printing
Larry Hott
Steve and Darcy Immerman
Kristin McGurn
Red Sox Foundation
Laura Roberts
Seyfarth Shaw
Vacovec, Mayotte, Singer
Brittney Walley

SUPPORTER

Board challenge

program

5pm

Social hour

6pm

Speaking program and awards presentation

7pm

Reception with grantee performances

keynote

Visionary Storyteller award presentation, keynote speech, and panel discussion

"We’ve always had the same message and haven’t been afraid to speak out about what’s important to us. But for me now, I think about my kids’ future, and the next generation."

— Ken Casey

Program schedule

10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Grantee workshops and tours of New Bedford

5:00 pm
Social hour

6:00 pm
Speaking program and award presentations

7:00 pm
Reception

Continuing
the work

Our programs invite people across Massachusetts to explore the humanities through thought-provoking courses and events that inspire reflection, discovery and conversation.

The Clemente Course in the Humanities

Clemente Course

The Clemente Course champions opportunities for Massachusetts residents from historically and systemically excluded communities to engage with, discuss and author stories and ideas about our democracy.

Learn More

Reading Frederick Douglass Together

Reading Frederick Douglass

Each year, Mass Humanities organizes and funds free public events where communities gather together to read and talk about Frederick Douglass’ influential address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

Learn More

Smithsonian Museum on Main Street

Smithsonian Museum

We partner with small towns to bring the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMs) to Massachusetts, with the goal of engaging small town audiences and revitalizing attention to rural communities.

Learn More

Mass Moments

Mass Moments explores significant moments in Massachusetts’ history. Researched and written by historians, this daily dose of history offers fresh angles on well-known events and uncovers details that may be new to you.

Learn More

Register

Artists for Humanity is an innovative space in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood. The venue is the home to a nationally acclaimed youth arts enterprise and a LEED Platinum facility. It’s a perfect place to celebrate creativity, accessibility, and civic storytelling.

We look forward to seeing you in September to honor Ken Casey.

stay
connected

Previous honorees

Join us in acknowledging this impressive list of individuals whose work in the humanities continue to inspire us.