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Past Grants Awarded

Did your organization receive a relief grant from Mass Humanities? Click on the buttons below for relief grant recipient lists.

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.  

 
 
Project: Engaging New Audiences Grant
Jamaica Plain, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

Road to Tolerance Program ExtensionTheatre Espressomore

The creation and implementation of in-school post-show workshops to accompany Theatre Espresso's historical plays held each year at the John Adams Courthouse for Boston Public School students.

Theatre Espresso
Jamaica Plain, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

project director: Wendy Lement
awarded on: 2018-06-15
amount: $15,000

Four moderated discussions to accompany performances of "The Burials", a play addressing gun violence in schools.

Firehouse Center for the Arts
Newburyport, MA, Essex County (Northeast)

project director: Colleen Cullen
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,500

Two events celebrating the work and legacy of Frederick Douglass: a performed mock trial with a community discussion and Worcester's annual Reading Frederick Douglass event.

Worcester Roots Project
Worcester, MA, Worcester County (Central)

project director: Cedric Arno
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,000
Research Inventory Grant
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

Rediscovering Chester Square: A Lost Park in the South EndSouth End Historical Societymore

Inventory and creation of a finding aid for recently obtained records from the Chester Square Area Neighborhood Association.

South End Historical Society
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

project director: Lauren Prescott
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $2,000
Research Inventory Grant
Brewster, MA, Barnstable County (Cape & Islands)

People and Places from Brewster's PastBrewster Historical Societymore

Inventory and creation of a searchable catalog of the Society's Photographic Collection.

Brewster Historical Society
Brewster, MA, Barnstable County (Cape & Islands)

project director: Teresa Lamperti
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $2,000
Research Inventory Grant
Haverhill, MA, Essex County (Northeast)

Fruitlands Shakers: New Collection/New AudiencesThe Trustees of Reservationsmore

Inventory and processing of the Fruitlands Shaker Collection of journals, church membership logs, sermons, and financial records.

The Trustees of Reservations
Haverhill, MA, Essex County (Northeast)

project director: Alison Bassett
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $2,000
Research Inventory Grant
Wellesley Hills, MA, Norfolk County (Metrowest Boston)

Denton Family Collection at Wellesley Historical SocietyWellesley Historical Societymore

Necessary re-processing of a portion of the Denton Family Collection.

Wellesley Historical Society
Wellesley Hills, MA, Norfolk County (Metrowest Boston)

project director: Kathleen D. Fahey
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $2,000

A four-part discussion series on influental works by Ella Baker, Lucy Stone, Dolores Huerta, and Ida B. Wells.

Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry
Roxbury, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

project director: Mary M. Earl
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,500

A moderated discussion on Leigh Fought's recently published "Women in the World of Frederick Douglass", as well as Lynn's annual Reading Frederick Douglass event.

New Lynn Coalition
Lynn, MA, Essex County (Northeast)

project director: Wendy Joseph
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,500
Discussion Grant
Pittsfield, MA, Berkshire County (Berkshire)

The MastheadsCity of Pittsfield Office of Cultural Developmentmore

A five-part lecture and discussion series on Pittsfield local history.

City of Pittsfield Office of Cultural Development
Pittsfield, MA, Berkshire County (Berkshire)

project director: Tessa Kelly
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,500

A six-week reading and discussion series for children and their caregivers intended to provoke conversations on immigration.

Sharon Public Library
Sharon, MA, Norfolk County (Southeast)

project director: Jessica Henderson
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,500

A public discussion, moderated by popular scholar and speaker Donovan Livingston, on the media's role in how equity and diversity are understood and addressed in schools.

Edith Wharton Restoration, Inc.
Lenox, MA, Berkshire County (Berkshire)

project director: Anastasia Whalen
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,040
Discussion Grant
New Bedford, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)

Douglass Bicentennial: Visioning Anna DouglassNew Bedford Historical Societymore

A book group focused on Anna Douglass, in addition to New Bedford's annual "Reading Frederick Douglass" event.

New Bedford Historical Society
New Bedford, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)

project director: Lee Blake
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,359

Plainfield's third annual "Reading Frederick Douglass" event in July as well as an October reading of (parts of) "The Constitution of the United States followed by moderated discussion.

Earthdance Creative Living Project, Inc.
Plainfield, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)

project director: Erik Burcroff
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $1,500

Brockton's annual "Reading Frederick Douglass" event offered in twelve languages this year.

Frederick Douglass Neighborhood Association
Brockton, MA, Plymouth County (Southeast)

project director: Madeline M. Smith
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $500

A series of eleven discussion on "forgotten" episodes in women's history.

Falmouth Historical Society
Falmouth, MA, Barnstable County (Cape & Islands)

project director: Mark Schmidt
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,000
Project: Negotiating Social Contract Grant
Somerville, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)

Religious History of SomervilleSomerville Museummore

Research and planning for an exhibition on religious institutions and groups in Somerville, with the intention of tackling issues of immigration, religious tradition and history, and religious practices, and contemporary religious communities.

Somerville Museum
Somerville, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)

project director: Charan Devereaux
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $13,700
Project: Media Grant
Cambridge, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)

Left on Pearl888 Women's History Project, Inc.more

The implementation of an online user interface to promote distribution of the film that will allow organizations and individuals to host screenings and to download a screening guide (with historical context and discussion questions).

888 Women's History Project, Inc.
Cambridge, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)

project director: Susan Rivo
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $15,000
Project: Media Grant
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

John Adams Courthouse Visitors Film (Trailer)Supreme Judicial Court Historical Societymore

The creation of a film trailer to raise funds for a visitors film-supported by input from historians and legal scholars-for the John Adams Courthouse.

Supreme Judicial Court Historical Society
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

project director: Wendy Lement
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $15,000

A film distribution project, including the creation of an interactive website and curriculum guide-both focused on constitutional law, ethics, and the history of conflict in the United States-as well as a large, public Massachusetts screening and discussion (preceding the film's broadcast on WGBY).

CET- ThinkTV
Dayton, OH, Montgomery County

project director: Kate Way
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $14,850
Project: Engaging New Audiences Grant
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

Black Creativity in ComicsMuseum of African American Historymore

A public event with graphic novelist and scholar John Jennings and other scholars of black comics, which will push audiences to consider questions about the history of black comics, Afro-futurism, colonialism, civil rights, and the future of publishing.

Museum of African American History
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

project director: L'Merchie Frazier
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $6,400
Project: Engaging New Audiences Grant
Florence, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)

We Are Here to Honor Liberty and to Denounce SlaveryDavid Ruggles Centermore

The development of new mini-courses-regarding the radical social reformers who settled in Florence in the 1840s, and what their stories teach about contemporary issues-for visiting school groups, which will be brought to teachers in a professional development workshop.

David Ruggles Center
Florence, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)

project director: Tom Goldscheider
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $7,500

Research and planning for a permanent exhibit about the events based in Arlington on the first day of the American Revolution: April 19, 1775.

Arlington Historical Society
Arlington, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)

project director: Sara Lundberg
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $7,500
Project: Engaging New Audiences Grant
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour of Boston's ChinatownChinese Historical Society of New Englandmore

The design and production of a walking-tour brochure of Boston's Chinatown, intended to complement the city's other self-guided walking tours, including the Freedom Trail, Black Heritage Trail, and Women's Trail.

Chinese Historical Society of New England
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

project director: Susan Chinsen
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $7,500
Project: Engaging New Audiences Grant
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

Haul Away Together: History, Diversity and the Sea in Story and SongSave the Harbor/Save the Baymore

The introduction of already-successful humanities-based programs to adults in the Boston area; the organization's programs-originally created for teens and young adults-are based on songs and stories of the sea that include the oft-ignored experiences of African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, young people, and women.

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

project director: Bruce Berman
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $15,000
Project Grant
Westford, MA, Middlesex County (Northeast)

Westford Stories: Permanent Exhibitions of the Westford MuseumWestford Museummore

The implementation of permanent exhibitions "Stories of Westford" and "History of Westford Academy," which will engage audiences in the history of Westford Academy-the state's oldest standing coeducational secondary school building-and Westford's beginnings.

Westford Museum
Westford, MA, Middlesex County (Northeast)

project director: Penny Lacroix
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $7,500

A series of public programs based on the influence and legacy of Nathaniel Hawthorne to take place during the celebratory summer of 2018, which marks the 350th-anniversary of the House's founding.

House of the Seven Gables
Salem, MA, Essex County (Northeast)

project director: Julie Arrison-Bishop
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $5,025
Project: Engaging New Audiences Grant
Fall River, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)

Through Our Eyes: Photographic Portraits of Immigrant Lives in Fall RiverSER - Jobs for Progress Inc.more

A photography-and-cultural-studies project with recently arrived immigrants in ESOL classes; adult students will find opportunities to document, reflect on, and share their own stories and experiences, while also learning from their classmates and from humanities-based texts and photographs.

SER - Jobs for Progress Inc.
Fall River, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)

project director: Andrea Klimt
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $8,800

A one-day symposium on the history and future of public health in Lawrence.

Lawrence History Center / Immigrant City Archives
Lawrence, MA, Essex County (Northeast)

project director: Susan Grabski
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500
Project: Engaging New Audiences Grant
Longmeadow, MA, Hampden County (CT Valley)

On the Move Forum: Exploring Women's History Through Diverse Perspectives and Inclusive StoriesBay Path Universitymore

A community dialogue and multimedia interactive presentation on women's history in downtown Springfield, followed by a public display on Bay Path's campus.

Bay Path University
Longmeadow, MA, Hampden County (CT Valley)

project director: Janine Fondon
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $5,000

An oral history project documenting the stories of families living in the Dudley Street neighborhood.

Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative
Roxbury, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

project director: Rosalind Everdell
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500
Project: Engaging New Audiences Grant
Fitchburg, MA, Worcester County (Central)

Journey to Equality: the LGBTQ Civil Rights MovementFitchburg State Universitymore

A series of humanities exhibits and events, held throughout North Central Massachusetts, about LGBTQ issues, rights, and histories.

Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA, Worcester County (Central)

project director: Karen F. Mays
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $5,100
Project: Engaging New Audiences Grant
Waltham, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)

African Cultural Conversation SeriesAfrican Cultural Services, Inc.more

A monthly series of humanities discussions and cultural programs aimed toward-and developed with-Waltham's large African immigrant community.

African Cultural Services, Inc.
Waltham, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)

project director: Juliet Najjumba
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $10,000
Project Grant
Hull, MA, Plymouth County (Southeast)

Windmill Point Historic InterpretationHull Lifesaving Museum, Inc.more

Permanent outdoor local history interpretive panels on the US Coast Guard presence in Hull.

Hull Lifesaving Museum, Inc.
Hull, MA, Plymouth County (Southeast)

project director: Victoria Stevens
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500

A three-part performance-and-discussion series on the veteran experience designed to attract and engage both veterans and civilians.

Zeiterion Theatre
New Bedford, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)

project director: Rosemary Gill
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $12,500
Project: Engaging New Audiences Grant
Jamaica Plain, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

Afro Latin Folktales ProjectHyde Square Task Forcemore

An out-of-school literature and theatre project for youth leaders to explore themes of immigration, cultural assimilation, and belonging in relationship to Boston immigrant communities.

Hyde Square Task Force
Jamaica Plain, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

project director: Eva Farrell
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $15,000

Implementation funds for eight local history organizations to implement capacity-building projects after completing six intensive workshops on best practices.

Pioneer Valley History Network
Deerfield, MA, Franklin County (CT Valley)

project director: Clifford McCarthy
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500
Project: Engaging New Audiences Grant
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

GLOWRose Kennedy Greenway Conservancymore

An exhibition of eight historic neon road signs of Massachusetts businesses, c. 1927-1970, related research and accompanying panels, and a moderated panel discussion.

Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)

project director: Lucas Cowan
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $10,000

An audience immersion pilot program for about 100 community residents to explore how historical theater is produced-through lenses of dramaturgy, cultural studies, and history.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Lowell, MA, Middlesex County (Northeast)

project director: Sean Daniels
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $14,750

Scholarly consulting, the creation of informative playbills, and a post-performance discussion of a student production of Peter Pan.

Oakmont Regional High School
Ashburnham, MA, Worcester County (Central)

project director: Jeffrey Aubuchon
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $4,615

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