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Explore the Mass Humanities funded projects awarded from 2000 to the present. Browse by grant type, city, region or keyword. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive news when grants are awarded.
A six-part radio program that takes on contemporary issues concerning the cultural and historical role of the Connecticut River in the Pioneer Valley. The episodes will examine economics, the environment, and the river's spiritual effects on the area.
Amherst, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)
project director: Francesca Rheannon
awarded on: 2012-06-08
amount: $5,000
Portholes: An Inside Look at the Commercial Fishing IndustryCommunity Economic Development Centermore
Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern, MA will organize and hold a series of monthly community events on topics and issues related to the commercial fishing industry. The topics range from sustainability to women in the industry.
New Bedford, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: Laura Orleans
awarded on: 2012-06-08
amount: $5,000
Understanding IslamBoxford Town Librarymore
Reading and discussion program aimed at helping the general reader to explore the roots of Islam through a variety of texts.
Boxford, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Nanci M. Hill
awarded on: 2012-04-04
amount: $500
The Jacob Whittemore House - A Whittemore Family BiographyMinute Man National Historic Parkmore
Research into the multigenerational Whittemore family.
Concord, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Leslie Obleschuk
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $2,650
The Cultural Landscape of Herman Melville's ArrowheadBerkshire Historical Societymore
Research into the cultural landscape of Arrowhead, Herman Melville's farm in Pittsfield, during the period of his residency from 1850-1862, in order to better interpret Melville's life and work.
Pittsfield, MA, Berkshire County (Berkshire)
project director: Will Garrison
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $2,900
The Antislavery Movement in CummingtonCummington Historical Commissionmore
Support for research on the extensive antislavery activity that took place in the small rural hilltown of Cummington during the three decades that preceded the Civil War.
Cummington, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)
project director: Carla Ness
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $3,000
Stirring the Pot: Women in Early MassachusettsPartnership of the Historic Bostonsmore
Funding for the hiring of a consultant to devise and execute a public outreach program for the Partnership's activities to mark the founding of Boston.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Wilfred Holton
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $5,000
Public Health Museum Exhibit Redesign & ReinterpretationPublic Health Museummore
Redesign of the museum's gallery spaces using PhD candidates from Harvard's History of Science department to manage the process.
Needham, MA, Norfolk County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Sara Lundberg
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $5,000
North Brookfield Poetry ProjectNorth Brookfield Jr.- Sr. High Schoolmore
A poetry residency, after-school poetry writing workshops for students, and public readings that will be open to the community.
North Brookfield, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Heather Macpherson
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $2,500
A Healing Landscape: Environmental and Social History of the Boston Nature CenterMass Audubonmore
Support for activities that will lead to the inclusion of history into the teaching at the Center, formerly the site of the Boston State Hospital.
Lincoln, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Julie Brandlen
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $10,000
More Than a Number ExhibitionLynn Museummore
An exhibition exploring local Cambodian refugee culture, Cambodian-American culture, and non-Cambodians during and after the 1975-1979 genocide. The exhibit will address a number of themes: tolerance, acceptance and hope; the meaning of genocide, survival, healing; and re-building.
Lynn, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Abby Battis
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $5,000
Art in WordsFriends of the New Bedford Free Public Librarymore
10-week after-school program for children that will focus on reading and discussion of books and instruction in drawing and watercolor techniques.
New Bedford, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: Jill Horton-Simms
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $10,000
Coexist and Teaching about Human DignityCenter For Independent Documentarymore
A program designed to engage new audiences in four public high schools to reflect on moral and ethical themes: responsibility to others, the meaning of human dignity, relationships that foster human flourishing, and respect and honor for difference.
Walpole, MA, Norfolk County (Southeast)
project director: Adam Mazo
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $10,000
Hilltowns History Conference and FairMary Lyon Foundation, Inc.more
A Franklin County history happening, to be held at Colrain Central School. The daylong event will consist of a free history fair with activities and booths for all ages presented by organizations and individuals from around the county, as well as an indoor history conference with about 20 breakout sessions.
Shelburne Falls, MA, Franklin County (CT Valley)
project director: Susan Samoriski
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $5,000
Generational Legacy ProjectOn With Living and Learningmore
A nine-month project, beginning with a series of workshops for previously incarcerated women, culminating in performances to be produced by the Fort Point Theatre Channel.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Michael Ricca
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $10,000
Salem's Franco-American History: Transcribing, Translating and Developing Thematic Guide to Oral HistorySalem State Universitymore
Transcription and translation of 20 videotaped oral histories of former and current Franco-American residents of Salem.
Salem, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Susan Edwards
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $3,000
It Happened Here: Our Towns in the American RevolutionMartha's Vineyard Museummore
A collaborative statewide interactive Web exhibit featuring materials on the Revolutionary War from as many localities in Massachusetts as will participate.
Edgartown, MA, Dukes County (Cape & Islands)
project director: Nancy Cole
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $5,000
My Farm at Waltham Winter Multimedia Outdoor Tour at Gore PlaceGore Placemore
Production of a mobile device audio/video tour of the grounds of Gore Place in Waltham, the Federal estate of Governor Christopher Gore (1758-1827). Gore used his summer place as a productive farm and as a place to experiment with agricultural methods.
Waltham, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Tamar Agulian
awarded on: 2012-03-09
amount: $5,000
How We Live Today: Challenges of GlobalizationCambridge Forummore
Eight public discussions on the ramifications of the global economy, which will also be broadcast via public radio and podcasts. The discussions will focus on global engagement in military, political, and economic terms.
Cambridge, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)
project director: Patricia Suhrcke
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $5,000
The Carlos Vega Collection of Latino History in HolyokeWistariahurst Museum Association, Incmore
Inventory of the papers of Carlos Vega, one of Holyoke's most vocal and prolific Latino activists.
Holyoke, MA, Hampden County (CT Valley)
project director: Penni Martorell
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $1,500
Inventory of Nylander PapersIron Work Farm In Actonmore
Inventory of the Robert H. Nylander Collection of research notes and maps related to the original Iron Work Farm land grant and the extant Jones-Faulkner Homestead and Jones Tavern for a permanent exhibition on the extent and evolution of the Jones and Faulkner land holdings throughout the town of Acton and nearby communities.
Acton, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Anne M. Forbes
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $1,500
Medford Circa 1855Medford Historical Societymore
Cataloguing of materials relating to Medford during the transitional ante-bellum period, c. 1855.
Medford, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Barbara Kerr
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $1,500
1763 Peace of Paris Commemoration Planning PhaseBostonian Societymore
An exhibit and public programming on the historical legacy of 1763 Peace of Paris treaty to coincide with its 250th anniversary in 2013. Credited with ending the last in a series of international conflicts known as the French and Indian wars, the treaty shaped the roles of Britain, France, and Spain on the North American continent and is seen as the precursor to the American Revolution
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Donald C. Carleton
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $4,925
StoriesLive 2012Massmouth, Inc.more
A series of assemblies and classroom workshops that teach teenagers about public speaking and storytelling techniques, and culminates in a competitive story slam, a live event with judges and prize money for finalists.
Brookline, MA, Norfolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Norah Dooley
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $10,000
Homefront & Battlefield Exhibition ImplementationAmerican Textile History Museummore
An exhibit that will explore the relationship between textiles/textile artifacts and the escalation of conflict during the Civil War and its aftermath. The exhibit will display slave cloth, soldier bandages, and the noose used to hang John Brown, among other key objects.
Lowell, MA, Middlesex County (Northeast)
project director: Diane F. Affleck
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $10,000
The TemperamentalsThe Lyric Stage Company of Bostonmore
Two post-performance forums during the run of The Temperamentals, a play about the founders of one of the first gay rights organizations in the pre-Stonewall United States. The grant will also support interactive elements for audiences attending.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Nora Long
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $3,500
The Meaning of the Highlands Neighborhood TodayThe Highlands Coalitionmore
An out-of-school program for six to 10 teens that will explore the rich history of the Highlands neighborhood (the one-time home of abolitionist Frederick Douglass), and lead to a video-theatre piece based on oral history interviews with residents.
Lynn, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Wendy Joseph
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $10,000
The Amherst Survival Center Music ProjectAmherst Survival Centermore
A series of 12 lunchtime concerts at the Center that will feature world music and accompanying lectures about that music.
Amherst, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)
project director: Bob Weiner
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $4,764
Peace, Justice and Women - Changing the WorldSusan B. Anthony Birthplace Museummore
A series of multimedia events on the life of this legendary leader in the fight for women's rights and the abolition of slavery.
Adams, MA, Berkshire County (Berkshire)
project director: Cynthia Whitty
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $4,643
African Americans in Early New England Project: A Crisis of Conscience and MemoryPocumtuck Valley Memorial Associationmore
A podcast and printed tour of African-American sites in the village of Old Deerfield as well as K-12 online lessons that will illuminate the history of local slavery in Old Deerfield.
Deerfield, MA, Franklin County (CT Valley)
project director: Timothy Neumann
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $5,000
Troilus & CressidaActors' Shakespeare Projectmore
Free public events and participatory programs for diverse audiences pertaining to the production of Troilus & Cressida.
Somerville, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)
project director: Lori Taylor
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $5,000
Boston Busing/Desegregation Project: Can We Talk?Union of Minority Neighborhoodsmore
A series of public education forums that examine Boston's desegregation history and its current public education needs in order start an informed conversation among various constituencies about public school quality and equality.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Donna Bivens
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $10,000
Julien Hudson Exhibition; Lecture SeriesWorcester Art Museummore
A lecture series, art history course, children's program, and a series of radio interviews to accompany its exhibit on Julien Hudson. Hudson was an early American portrait painter of African descent who explored race and the South in his work.
Worcester, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Honee Hess
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $5,000
Will We Ever Learn?.. The Struggle for Equality, One Group at a TimeWAMCmore
Three hour-long segments of its morning program, The Roundtable; the segments will explore parallels between various struggles for equality in American history. Interviewees will include such important figures as Anita Hill, Robert Reich, and Alex Keyssar, among others.
Albany, NY, Albany County
project director: Joe Donahue
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $10,000
Fire and Ice: The Life and Legacy of Frances PerkinsHamline Universitymore
Development of a trailer for a PBS documentary on the life of Frances Perkins, Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Secretary of Labor and the architect of Social Security, minimum wage, and other New Deal legislation.
Saint Paul, MN, Ramsey County
project director: Mick Caouette
awarded on: 2011-12-09
amount: $10,000
Intellectual Seeds: the Bounty of William Sturgis, Past and PresentSturgis Librarymore
Reading and discussion seires sampling the four books most popular with the library's patrons in its inaugural year.
Barnstable, MA, Barnstable County (Cape & Islands)
project director: Antonia Stephens
awarded on: 2011-10-28
amount: $500
First Down: The Early History of American College FootballCenter For Independent Documentarymore
Production of a film trailer for "First Down: The History of American College Football", which will become a four-part series on the subject of college football that also provokes debate on the controversies of sport, race, and masculinity.
Walpole, MA, Norfolk County (Southeast)
project director: Ron Lamothe
awarded on: 2011-06-11
amount: $10,000
All Access Boston Harbor - Treasures of Spectacle.Save the Harbor/Save the Baymore
Support for an educational program that teaches the archaeological interpretation of beachcombing, specifically when canvassing for treasures on Spectacle Island, the site of a former garbage dump for the city of Boston and now a park and recreation area.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Bruce Berman
awarded on: 2011-06-11
amount: $10,000
Paul Cuffe: A Man for All TimesNew Bedford Whaling Museummore
Support for "Cuffe's Kitchen," an interactive audio exhibit on the life and work of Paul Cuffe, an 18th century whaler of Wampanoag and African-American descent who started the West India Trading Company. Cuffe, who became one of the wealthiest men in the emerging nation, used his power and influence to fight against slavery and for civil rights.
New Bedford, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: Greg Galer
awarded on: 2011-06-11
amount: $10,000
Mother of All Strikes: Bread and Roses Strike of 1912Lawrence History Center / Immigrant City Archivesmore
An interactive, multimedia exhibit on the famous Bread and Roses Strike of 1912. The exhibit will not only analyze the strike but also its longstanding implications in terms of workers' rights, unemployment, unions, and the state of Lawrence today.
Lawrence, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Barbara Brown
awarded on: 2011-06-11
amount: $10,000