Michigan Humanities Council 2011 ALA Annual Conference New Orleans, LA June 25, 2011

Mission To connect people and communities by fostering and supporting high-quality cultural programs.

Purpose of Grants: The Council encourages and supports a variety of activities that bring communities and scholars together to:  Reflect and learn from our cultural heritage  Cultivate a shared understanding of current events and concerns  Build stronger, more thoughtful communities for the future

Key Partners  National Endowment for the Humanities  National Endowment for the Arts  Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs  W. K. Kellogg Foundation  Meijer  Michigan Council of Foundations  American Library Association & Library of Michigan  Universities, schools, libraries and museums  Local historical societies

MHC Program Overview  Grants: Major, Planning & Quick  Great Michigan Read  Prime Time Family Reading Time  Arts & Humanities Touring Program  Poetry Out Loud  The Way We Worked (Smithsonian & National Archives Touring Exhibit)  Making Sense of the Civil War (Community Reading & Book Discussions)

Great Michigan Read Briefly: Biennial, statewide reading program featuring a single work of literature by a Michigan author and about Michigan Goals:  Encourage Michiganians to come together around important humanities themes  Explore Michigan authors and literature, and  Develop an appreciation for different perspectives and cultures

Grants Program  Major grants: up to $15,000; Fall and Spring  Planning grants: up to$1,000  Quick grants: up to $500  Arts & Humanities Touring Grants: up to $3,000  Prime Time: $16,000 over 3-year period  All grants require a match  Awarded annually approx. $500,000

Prime Time Family Reading Time Description: A 6-8 week family storytelling and discussion program for non-library users; pre-reading activities for preschoolers Goals:  Include parents as integral part of their children’s learning  Increase literacy rates; stem tide of intergenerational illiteracy  Cultivate high-academic performers  Increase appreciation and understanding of the humanities

Arts & Humanities Touring Program Briefly: Partnership with Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs to offer grants to local nonprofits and schools to host performing artists, storytellers, scholars and authors Goal : Ensure access to high-quality arts & humanities programming throughout the state for all Michigan families Funding: approx. $75,000 a year; 200+ grants

Poetry Out Loud Briefly: Annual high school poetry recitation competition Goals :  Learn about great poetry through memorization and performance  Master public speaking skills  Build self-confidence  Explore our literary heritage Participation: Over 50 high schools and 6,500 students

The Way We Worked Briefly: Smithsonian traveling exhibit examining American work culture; part of national Museum on Main Street (MoMS) rural exhibit initiative Goals: Provide high-quality exhibits and program assistance to often underserved rural populations; increase capacity building for rural venues Funding: Approximately $50,000 over three years

Making Sense of the Civil War Briefly: NEH and American Library Association sponsored program offered to each state council; includes 100 sets of books (3/set) to host reading and book discussions around the state. Goals: Encourage discussion and better understanding of the Civil War and its legacy in commemorating its sesquicentennial anniversary. Funding: $10,000 for administration, honoraria, postage and travel during Final report due in 2013, although encouraged to continue discussions through 2015.

MHC Communication Strategy  Monthly E-Newsletter “Michigan Stories”  Monthly “Happenings” to promote upcoming events and opportunities  Special edition s celebrating historical events, i.e., Michigan’s 175 th birthday, African American History Month  News Releases promoting grant awards, partnerships and upcoming programs  Comcast quarterly interviews  Quarterly postcard mailings

MHC Communication Strategy  Website  Facebook  Annual report  Starting quarterly print/digital publication for 2013 to foster understanding of humanities  Sponsorships that provide high visibility  Displays & outreach at conferences & events  Presentations to community groups

How Can Communities Partner?  Apply for grants to support local school & community-based cultural programs  Establish Prime Time Family Reading Program with local library or school  Encourage area schools and non-profits to apply for MHC programs & grants  Participate in Great Michigan Read  Identify host site for future traveling exhibits and volunteer as organizers or docents  Promote programming & sponsor local events

Learn more…  Visit MHC website: michiganhumanities.org  Subscribe to our monthly MICHIGAN STORIES E-newsletter:  Learn about upcoming events around the state through HAPPENINGS, distributed monthly by or available on website

Contact us: Michigan Humanities Council 119 Pere Marquette Drive Lansing, MI T: