California Humanities was the 2015 recipient of the Schwartz Prize for outstanding work in the public humanities for War Ink. This prize is awarded annually by the Federation of State Humanities Councils. This is the fourth time that California Humanities has been similarly honored, receiving this recognition in 2001, 2007, 2009 and now 2015!
War Ink is an online interpretive exhibit of stories and images shared by 24 California veterans through photos, text and audio and video recordings. Initiated by the Contra Costa Public Library and co-directed by a librarian, Chris Brown, and veteran advocate and social researcher, Jason Deitch, the project launched on Veterans Day, November 11, 2014, and quickly attracted widespread viewership and media attention. To date, the exhibit has received over 50,000 visits and extensive national media coverage as well as several prestigious awards.
In addition to California Humanities, Humanities Montana and Maryland Humanities Council also received awards for their programs ranging from a year-long support program for rural communities to a partnership to revitalize a community and its history. The awards were presented at the 2015 National Humanities Conference in St. Louis, Missouri on November 6, 2015.
Pictures from left to right:
Chris Brown, NEH Chairman Adams and Jason Deitch pictured with the Schwartz Prize for War Ink, photo credit – Four Seven Photography
Felicia Kelley, Senior Program Officer accepting the Schwartz Prize for War Ink, photo credit – Tricia Wynne, CH Board
