Newsletter

Registration Opening for Great Michigan Read!

Our statewide discussion on family secrets, mental illness, immigration and genealogy is already beginning as organizations prepare for the 2013-14 Great Michigan Read featuring Annie's Ghosts by Steve Luxenberg. Are you ready to sign on? Registration opens May 15 at michiganhumanities.org. Read on to learn how Annie's Ghosts is a universal story ...

Forest Hills Student Makes Michigan Proud

Richard Wu, a senior at Forest Hills Central High School near Grand Rapids, represented Michigan in Washington, D.C., on April 29-30 at the National Poetry Out Loud competition. He competed in the Region 2 round with 16 other students. He placed in the top eight for a chance to recite a third poem, but did not advance to competition finals. He gave three, strong performances and made us proud. Congrats Richard on your success in Poetry Out Loud!

Recap: Legislative Breakfast

On May 1, MHC staff and board members had the opportunity to speak with nearly 50 of your state legislators and share the great events MHC sponsors in their districts thanks to you: our donors, grantees and partners. Chatting over breakfast was the perfect opportunity to spread the word about the Michigan Humanities Council and its increased need for humanities funding. Thank you for all that attended! We look forward to continue building a stronger, more cultural Michigan with our statewide support! If you would like to learn more about what we're doing in your districts, please contact us at (517) 372-7770.

Major Grant Application Update

We would like to thank the 72 organizations that submitted a project proposal for our spring 2013 major grant funds. If there's anything we've learned from this program's growth over recent years, it's that the need for humanities support and funding is greater than ever! The grants recommended for funding will be presented to the MHC Board of Directors at its May 9 meeting. Applicants should check their emails in the following days for notification. Public notification will be made the week of May 13. Stay tuned for the announcement and plenty of great events!

Smithsonian Exhibit Continues Statewide Travel

Work songs, hard hats and historic images are now on display at the Pere Marquette District Library in Clare. The items are a part of The Way We Worked, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit that explores the history of work culture in America. The exhibit will be open in Clare until May 18, and will then move to the Hart Are Public Library from May 24 – July 6. Next up, see the opening of a new Smithsonian exhibit, Journey Stories, on display in Alpena starting June 1. Both exhibits are family friendly and have free admission.

Grantee Highlight: Celebrating VE Day with Public USO Dance

On May 8, John Glenn High School will go back in time with a WWII USO Dance. The event, funded in part through an MHC major grant, will mark the 68th anniversary of the victory in Europe Day, which observes the defeat of the Nazis and an end to the war. Head out for a night of dancing to WWII-era music from the John Glenn band and choir. Also, watch the JROTC perform patriotic drills, see re-enactments of WWII musical performances, and take a look at the special display of vehicles from the Detroit Arsenal of Democracy. The event is free and begins at 6 p.m. at John Glenn High School in Westland.