Humanities New York (HNY) has announced $159,692 in awards to 33 grantees for innovative public humanities offerings. Awards were made in nearly every region of the state, from the North Country to Western New York.
These grants are made possible through the National Endowment for the Humanities, a Federal agency funded through legislation by the United States Congress.
Action Grants to community presenters enable New Yorkers to reflect on their values and engage with others in their communities. Grant recipients creatively use history, philosophy, literature, and other tools of the humanities to respond to issues and ideas that capture the imagination and passion of New Yorkers today. Focusing on relevant and timely topics, these grant projects give New Yorkers the opportunity to discuss what matters.
Over ten of the grants will provide funding for local history. In Western New York, Young Audiences of Western New York will introduce youth and families to the historical significance of the Erie Canal. In the Mohawk Valley region, The New York Folklore Society will commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. In NYC, the New-York Historical Society will add Living History programs to celebrate the traditionally African-American holidays of Pinkster and Juneteenth.
Three grants promote the understanding of queer and LGBTQI+ history and rights in New York State. In Western New York, the Fenton Historical Society of Jamestown is building a community archive and exhibit dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. In NYC, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem will explore the intersections among race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and jazz through the writings and wisdom of James Baldwin; and the American Social History Project is producing a podcast series that looks at how the work of Queer historians, activists, educators, and archivists have preserved and reclaimed the telling of LGBTQI+ history.
Several grants went to organizations offering programs on women’s history and rights. In the Southern Tier region, a look at women in the field of paleontology will be hosted by the Paleontological Research Institution with an exhibit and programming that will examine the challenges and successes of women scientists — past and present — as they strive towards discovery. In the Finger Lakes, 1st Amendment-1st Vote will host 9 “Virtual Visits” along the Women’s Rights Corridor.
Complete list of 2021 Grantees is available on Humanities New York’s website.
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