Michigan Humanities Council Awards $175, 848 in Grants for Local Humanities Projects

(Lansing) – The Michigan Humanities Council has awarded $175,848 in major grants, supporting 14 of the 28 project requests it received. The grants emphasize collaboration among cultural, educational and community-based organizations and institutions to serve Michigan’s residents with public humanities programming. The organizations receiving grants will generate an additional $661,302 in cost share and $42,340 in gift revenue.

“As our local communities continue to struggle to make ends meet, the Michigan Humanities Council grants program has become more important than ever,” said Katie Wolf, Council executive director. “The Michigan Humanities Council is dedicated to ensuring our families, schools and communities continue to have access to high-quality cultural experiences that also promote cultural tourism.
We support projects that encourage residents and visitors alike to reflect upon and discuss those issues and events that comprise Michigan’s rich cultural legacy, so together we can better understand each other and work toward a brighter, more informed future,” adds Wolf.

STATEWIDE

The Library of Michigan was awarded $15,000 to support their long-standing literature program, “Michigan Notable Books.” It will continue with 50 author tours to various Michigan libraries, and sessions will explore Michigan history and culture through books (fiction and nonfiction) set in Michigan or written by a state native. The Library of Michigan is collaborating with the Library of Michigan Foundation on this project.

NORTHEAST

The Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library was awarded a grant of $15,000 for its project, “Authors in the Fall 2011.” The library will bring high-caliber authors such as Bob Woodward, Jerry Dennis, Margaret Wiley and Doc Fletcher to the rural community. This project will serve Alpena, Alcona, Presque Isle and Montmorency counties.

NORTHWEST

The Fishtown Preservation Society, Inc. has been awarded $15,000 to create permanent exhibits and host eight public presentations sharing how the area’s rich history of commercial fishing helped shape the local culture. “Telling Stories: Site Interpretation for Fishtown,” will host the presentations from June to August 2011. The permanent exhibits will go on display late this summer, and a book with historical photographs and background will be available in the spring of 2012. This project serves Leelanau County.

Emmet County was awarded $15,000 to hold “The Warriors’ Journey Exhibit.” This project will highlight the journey of a group of Odawa Indians who traveled from Northern Michigan to Pennsylvania in 1754 to fight in the opening battle of the French and Indian War. The exhibit will feature artifacts from the National Park Service and Mackinac State Historic Park, alongside interpretive boards and displays. Emmet County is collaborating with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Mackinac State Historic Parks, Mackinaw Area Historic Society, The Village of Mackinaw City, Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association, Emmet County Historical Commission and Fort de Buade. This project serves Emmet County.

CENTRAL

The North American Choral Company was awarded $15,000 to complete a concert project titled “Michigan Sings!” The project will involve more than 200 Grand Rapids Public School students as they explore the significant role Michigan and its artists have played in musical genres of the 20th century. The project will culminate with free musical presentations by students. This project serves Kent County.

SOUTHWEST

Western Michigan University received $10,175 for its project, “Trading on the Frontier at Fort St. Joseph.” The project will produce an educational booklet on fur trade and culminate with the 2011 Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Open House Aug. 13-14, 2011. This event will feature 18th century fur-trading demonstrations, artifact exhibits and student archaeological digs. WMU is collaborating with the Niles District Library and Fort. St. Joseph. This project will serve Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties.

SOUTH CENTRAL

Enterprise Group Community Ventures Corporation was awarded $15,000 for its project, “From Historic Prison to Artistic Vision.” The project will depict Jackson’s prison history through murals on such topics as the Jackson Robber Gang, inmate work in factories, prison sports teams and the “Pea Soup Riot.” Activities will include a lecture series, exhibits of prisoner art, and historic photos and sketches. This project will serve Jackson County and includes collaboration with the Jackson District Library and the Jackson Historic District Commission.

SOUTHEAST

One of Us Films was awarded $15,000 toward the production of a one-hour documentary based on John Gallagher’s book, Reimagining Detroit. The project, “Reimagining Detroit – A Documentary Film,” will include interviews, aerial photography of Detroit and discussions on city planning. One of Us Films is collaborating with Wayne State Press and the College for Creative Studies. The project will serve Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland and Genesee counties.

The University of Michigan Center for AfroAmerican and African Studies was awarded $7,674 to host summer camp activities integrating cultural histories and values with environmental consciousness, stewardship and leadership among girls aged 7-12 from a variety of cultural and class backgrounds. The project, “ECO Girls (Environmental & Cultural Organization for Girls),” will serve Washtenaw County.

Kerrytown Bookfest was awarded $4,000 to host its annual book festival, highlighting various individuals and groups who make Michigan history, literature and publishing unique. The 2011 “Kerrytown Bookfest: Michigan Voices,” will give special attention to the Native American and counterculture writers. Kerrytown is collaborating with the Kerrytown District Association and Homegrown Festival. This project will serve Washtenaw, Jackson, Lenawee, Wayne, Monroe and Ingham counties.

The Wild Swan Theater was awarded $15,000 to provide a theater production and educational programming exploring Michigan’s maritime history. “Michigan’s Maritime History: How the Great Lakes Made Michigan Great,” is written to appeal to upper-elementary and middle-school students, as well as families and the general public. This project will mainly serve Washtenaw County, but its play will tour the state in the spring and summer of 2012. Wild Swan Theater is collaborating with the Detroit Historical Museum/Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Michigan Historical Center, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (jointly managed by NOAA and the state of Michigan), and the Michigan Council for History Education.

The Edsel & Eleanor Ford House received a grant of $15,000 to host an exhibit centered on fairy tales and their cultural interpretations. “Multi-Cultural Fairy Tale – Exhibit and Festival,” will run from July to mid-September 2011, alongside the Storytelling Festival in July. This exhibit will serve Macomb, Wayne and Oakland counties, and is a collaboration between the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House and the Grosse Pointe Public Library.

The Polish Mission received a grant of $14,689 to host a series of weeklong workshops that will bring together grandparents and grandchildren of Jewish, Polish and German backgrounds who share Polish heritage. “Uniting Generations and Ethnicities of Polonia” will help grandparents and grandchildren to explore and document their heritage in a take-home archival booklet. This project will serve Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties. The Polish Mission is collaborating with Polonia Americana Research Institute, West Bloomfield Public Library, Jewish Genealogical Society of Michigan, Oakland County Genealogical Society, and the Holocaust Memorial Center.

The Troy Historical Society has received a grant of $4,130 to help provide children, young adults and adults with a stronger sense of Michigan history through storytelling. “Engaging with History by Sharing Our Stories” will feature storytelling, reading aloud, and interactive activities in an 18-session period, building knowledge and interest in the history and heritage of Southeast Michigan. This project will serve Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and St. Clair counties.

The Michigan Humanities Council, founded in 1974, is a private, nonprofit organization funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and individual donors. For more information on future programs, upcoming grant opportunities or how you can support these efforts, please visit www.michiganhumanities.org or call (517) 372-7770.
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