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.
Why Didn't I Know About This? Women's History Lectures and DiscussionFalmouth Historical Societymore
A series of eleven discussion on "forgotten" episodes in women's history.
Falmouth, MA, Barnstable County (Cape & Islands)
project director: Mark Schmidt
awarded on: 2018-05-14
amount: $3,000
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, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)
project director: Charan Devereaux
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $13,700
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).
Cambridge, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)
project director: Susan Rivo
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $15,000
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.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Wendy Lement
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $15,000
G is for Gun: The Arming of Teachers in America - Interactive Website, MA DistributionCET- ThinkTVmore
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).
Dayton, OH, Montgomery County
project director: Kate Way
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $14,850
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.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: L'Merchie Frazier
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $6,400
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.
Florence, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)
project director: Tom Goldscheider
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $7,500
"The Day History Marched Down Our Streets" Exhibition Planning GrantArlington Historical Societymore
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, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Sara Lundberg
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $7,500
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.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Susan Chinsen
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $7,500
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.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Bruce Berman
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $15,000
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, MA, Middlesex County (Northeast)
project director: Penny Lacroix
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $7,500
A Dual Legacy: Nathaniel Hawthorne and The House of the Seven GablesHouse of the Seven Gablesmore
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.
Salem, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Julie Arrison-Bishop
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $5,025
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.
Fall River, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: Andrea Klimt
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $8,800
Distribution of the documentary film "9 to 5" by means of community screenings and discussions-with a prepared discussion guide-in partnership with community organizations, unions, labor schools, and scholars in Boston and Western Massachusetts.
Yellow Springs, OH, Greene County
project director: Julia Reichert
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $10,000
Taryn Simon: Public Humanities ProgrammingMassachusetts Museum of Contemporary Artmore
Development of new public humanities programs to complement an upcoming exhibition by Taryn Simon, whose art revolves around Russian culture and Russo-American relations.
North Adams, MA, Berkshire County (Berkshire)
project director: Alexandra Foradas
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $10,000
Symposium 2018: The History and Future of Public Health in LawrenceLawrence History Center / Immigrant City Archivesmore
A one-day symposium on the history and future of public health in Lawrence.
Lawrence, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Susan Grabski
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500
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.
Longmeadow, MA, Hampden County (CT Valley)
project director: Janine Fondon
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $5,000
Neighborhood Voices: Stories of the Families of the Dudley Street Neighborhood of BostonDudley Street Neighborhood Initiativemore
An oral history project documenting the stories of families living in the Dudley Street neighborhood.
Roxbury, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Rosalind Everdell
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500
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, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Karen F. Mays
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $5,100
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.
Waltham, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Juliet Najjumba
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $10,000
Windmill Point Historic InterpretationHull Lifesaving Museum, Inc.more
Permanent outdoor local history interpretive panels on the US Coast Guard presence in Hull.
Hull, MA, Plymouth County (Southeast)
project director: Victoria Stevens
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500
The Veteran Experience and the Social Contract: A Performance and Discussion SeriesZeiterion Theatremore
A three-part performance-and-discussion series on the veteran experience designed to attract and engage both veterans and civilians.
New Bedford, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: Rosemary Gill
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $12,500
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.
Jamaica Plain, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Eva Farrell
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $15,000
The Future of Our Past: Building Capacity in the History CommunityPioneer Valley History Networkmore
Implementation funds for eight local history organizations to implement capacity-building projects after completing six intensive workshops on best practices.
Deerfield, MA, Franklin County (CT Valley)
project director: Clifford McCarthy
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500
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.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Lucas Cowan
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $10,000
Exploring the Historical Context of Plays Through Merrimack Repertory Theatre's Cohort ClubMerrimack Repertory Theatremore
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.
Lowell, MA, Middlesex County (Northeast)
project director: Sean Daniels
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $14,750
Dialoguing with Indigenous Americans in our Community through Peter PanOakmont Regional High Schoolmore
Scholarly consulting, the creation of informative playbills, and a post-performance discussion of a student production of Peter Pan.
Ashburnham, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Jeffrey Aubuchon
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $4,615
Activate the ArboretumAuburn Public Schoolsmore
An environmental history project for Auburn Public School students that is led by a humanities scholar and includes lessons, a photography project, an exhibit, and a tour.
Auburn, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Sarah Connell
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500
Processing and Making Available Archival Material Related to William Madison WoodAndover Historical Societymore
Inventory and make public their William Wood collection of photographs, maps, and publications.
Andover, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Elaine Clements
awarded on: 2017-11-09
amount: $2,000
Susanna Rowson in Medford 1799-1803Medford Historical Societymore
Research on and transcription of their Swan Collection of letters, along with two public lectures on the material.
Medford, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Kyna Hamill
awarded on: 2017-11-06
amount: $3,500
Douglas Historical InitiativeSimon Fairfield Public Librarymore
Inventory and processing of the Douglas Historical Society's Coppola Collection.
Douglas, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Justin Snook
awarded on: 2017-11-06
amount: $2,000
Sharon Public Library Newspaper Digitization ProjectSharon Public Librarymore
Digitization of the local Sharon Advocate Newspaper archive and make it available online to patrons.
Sharon, MA, Norfolk County (Southeast)
project director: Lee Ann Amend
awarded on: 2017-11-06
amount: $2,000
Black Holyoke: Uncovering the History of Black Peoples in Holyoke, MAHistoric Holyoke at Wistariahurstmore
Inventory and scanning of Wistariahurst Museum's Holyoke and Carlos Vegas/Latino History Collections in order to provide a searchable documentation of Holyoke's black populations.
Holyoke, MA, Hampden County (CT Valley)
project director: Penni Martorell
awarded on: 2017-11-06
amount: $2,000
STCC Stands Social Justice ForumSpringfield Technical Community Collegemore
A film-and-discussion series-with "Hidden Figure", "I Am Not Your Negro", and "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks"..
Springfield, MA, Hampden County (CT Valley)
project director: Vonetta Lightfoot
awarded on: 2017-11-06
amount: $2,453
Teens, Bodies, and Identities in Global LiteraturePrimary Sourcemore
A reading-and-discussion series for Boston-area teachers and librarians focusing on global literature about teenagers' relationships with their bodies.
Watertown, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)
project director: Deborah L. Cunningham
awarded on: 2017-11-06
amount: $3,500
Spotlight Symposium Series: "Lonely Planet" and "Statements"New Repertory Theatremore
Two post-production moderated conversations around the history of intolerance and how art from the past can bring up questions from the present.
Watertown, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)
project director: Leila Ghaemi
awarded on: 2017-11-06
amount: $3,000
Manjiro and the Americans - Unlocking the Mystery of Japan Through the ArtsNew Bedford Balletmore
A project allowing fifth-grade students in New Bedford and Fairhaven to view and discuss a performance about overcoming cultural barriers and the role of exploration and commerce in New Bedford's whaling history.
New Bedford, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: Joanne Gracia
awarded on: 2017-11-06
amount: $3,100
Protest and Citizenship in AmericaMassachusetts Historical Societymore
A panel discussion and public conversation exploring the history of citizenship and protest in America.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Gavin Kleespies
awarded on: 2017-11-06
amount: $3,000
Discussion Event with MA History Teacher of the YearHistoric Somervillemore
A moderated discussion with 2017 Mass History Teacher of the Year Kevin Dua and historian Dan Breen addressing the roles of patriotism, freedom, individuality, and collectivism in the United States both historically and in the present.
Somerville, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)
project director: Eileen Schofield
awarded on: 2017-11-06
amount: $1,350
Discover Danvers Round-tableDanvers Historical Societymore
Moderated round-table sessions allowing participants to handle historical objects while learning about them and posing their own questions.
Danvers, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Sheila Cooke-Kayser
awarded on: 2017-11-06
amount: $3,500