To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we hosted “The Future of Storytelling” event in Worcester on March 22. Half-workshop, half-social gathering, the day saw grantees from central Massachusetts coming together to build community with Mass Humanities staff, board members, community leaders, organizational partners, and elected officials. The central theme of the workshop and gathering was storytelling‒how if figures centrally into the work being done by grantees, in carrying out our own mission, and laying the groundwork for a more equitable Commonwealth.
Beginnings, Middles, and Ends
Our grantee workshop began with a discussion of meaningful objects that participants brought to our meeting space at YWCA Central Massachusetts. Over the course of the conversation, a graphic facilitator depicted the ebb and flow of ideas onto five large storyboards.
“The djembe drum is a common drum across West Africa. Djembe means ‘gather together in peace.'” – Sha-Asia Medina, executive director of The Village Worcester.
A trip to ArtsWorcester in the middle of the day prompted further conversation and reflection on creative expression.
Building Community
Following the workshop, a gathering was held in downtown Worcester at the Jean McDonough Arts Center (JMAC) pop up space, featuring poetry performances by Vanessa Unicorn Gonzalez-Oyola and Walter Molina, two alumni of the Clemente Course in the Humanities.
“The stories that we heard from communities from all across Massachusetts…cut channels in this landscape, through which the future can flow, through which a better idea of Massachusetts can develop,” said Brian Boyles, Executive Director of Mass Humanities, in his welcome remarks. “So that we can uphold the commitments to freedom and equality that we talk about when we talk about Massachusetts. That is not an easy thing to do today.”
Thank you to everyone who built community with us in Worcester. Your work matters, and we are grateful to play a small part in funding your projects. Thank you to Mass Cultural Council and Barr Foundation for your continued support.
Stay tuned for an additional recap of this gathering on our website later this week, and keep an eye out for information about gatherings in Holyoke and Boston later this year. We’re honored to celebrate our 50th anniversary with you.
