Congratulations to 15 new public humanities grantees who received funding through the Humanities for All Quick Grant program. These projects each offer meaningful insights into the diverse ways Californians share, offer reflection, and celebrate the humanities in their daily lives – from hands-on workshops that will give youth the opportunity to learn and share traditional basketweaving techniques from tribal elders in Oroville, a concert and discussion series exploring the power of music to influence personal and social change across history and cultures in San Francisco, the creation of interpretive public tours and podcasts examining the transformation of Northeast Los Angeles’ post-industrial landscapes, and a participatory play-writing and performance project with Filipina domestic abuse survivors in San Diego. This cohort reflected significant geographic diversity, and will support programs in communities across the state. Included in this round of awards are projects that were selected to receive our inaugural Arts + Humanities and Youth Voices grant designations.
This cohort of awarded programs will take place across the state through July 2019. Humanities for All Quick Grant public events are happening all across the state. Check out one near you on our events calendar, like the staged reading of “Grandfathered: Where War Lingers” on May 5th by veterans who wrote a play in North Hollywood from “Veterans Write a Play.”
Please see below for short project description, you can also click HERE for full descriptions.
Visit our Humanities for All Grant page for more information.
Humanities for All Quick Grant Awardees (Spring 2018)
Note: In this round of Humanities for All Quick Grant Awards, in addition to continuing consideration of all eligible project applications on any topic, using any mode or format and reaching any public audience, California Humanities designated two specific funding focus areas, Arts & Humanities+ and Youth Focus*.
A Life in Service: Stories from the International Voluntary Service*
University of La Verne, La Verne, CA
Project Director: Dr. Felicia Beardsley
High school and undergraduate students will conduct life history interviews with former members of the International Voluntary Service (IVS) in La Verne (Oct-Dec 2018).
Anthem: Music of the Spirit Through the Ages+
Golden Gate Men’s Chorus, San Francisco, CA
Project Director: Mr. Andrew Berger
Anthem: Music of the Spirit Through the Ages will explore the role of music in religious observance through the centuries, across denominations, and in a variety of cultures.
Awl Y.E.A.H : Youth Engaging in Arts History
California Indian Basketweavers Association, Woodland, CA
Project Director: Ms. Rebecca Tortes
Awl Y.E.A.H (Youth Engaging in Arts History) will increase youth engagement in traditional practices through hands on workshops on traditional basketweaving practices including the gathering, preparation, and storage of basketweaving materials in addition to the actual weaving process as well as connections to language and oral traditions.
Back to the Land in Mendocino County
Mendocino County Public Broadcasting – KZYX, Philo, CA
Project Director: Ms. Kate Magruder
Back to the Land in Mendocino County will engage community members in an in-depth exploration of the Back to the Land Movement, the legacy of that period, and how the achievements and values of that era continue to shape the county and the wider culture of California and our nation.
California History and Culture through The Old Ball Game: Establishment of the Central Valley Association for Vintage Base Ball
Yolo County Historical Society, Davis, CA
Project Director: Mr. Matthew Stone
This project will establish the Central Valley Association of Vintage Base Ball and four baseball clubs which will play baseball games in fall 2018, playing on the field as if it were 1864. Teams will place emphasis on understanding the history and diverse culture of the game and the region.
In the Sunshine of Neglect: Defining Photographs and Radical Experiments in Inland Southern California, 1950 to the Present+
Riverside Art Museum, Riverside, CA
Project Director: Mr. Douglas McCulloh
In the Sunshine of Neglect is the first exhibition to survey the remarkable history of established photographic artists and rising experimentalists that have long used Inland Southern California as a laboratory.
La Ultima Parada – La Viejada Workshops+
School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza (SOAC), San Jose, CA
Project Director: Mr. Chris Esparza
La Ultima Parada is a two-day event that will take place at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in East San Jose in late October 2018, showcasing Mexican culture through the traditions of Día de los Muertos and exploring the human experience through reflection, study, and visual, performing and literary arts.
Over Here: Nevada County’s Experience of World War I
Nevada County Historical Society, Nevada City, CA
Project Director: Ms. Linda K. Jack
As part of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I (Armistice Day), Nevada County Historical Society and community partners will engage the public in reconnecting our community to this transformational event, reflecting on the lingering effects of the war in our community today, and recording our findings for future generations.
SoCal Perspectives on Black Masculinity Summit
Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA
Project Director: Dr. Joi Carr
The SoCal Perspectives on Black Masculinity Summit (Sept 2018) will examine the notion of black masculinity and its depiction in media arts, specifically depictions that explore how young black males in Los Angeles negotiate their historically articulated, tenuous relationships with the Los Angeles law enforcement community.
Social Justice Music Workshop*
Digital Monkey School Foundation, Belmont, CA
Project Director: Ms. Hannah Young
The Social Justice Music Workshop Series hosted at the Foster City Public Library (July and August 2018) will guide middle and high school-aged youth in a series of six workshops to learn about the history of the relationship between social justice movements and music across different historical periods and musical genres.
South of Fletcher: Stories from the Bowtie
Clockshop, Los Angeles, CA
Project Director: Ms. Julia Meltzer
South of Fletcher: Stories from the Bowtie is a project that explores the past, present and future of a post-industrial brownfield on the banks of the LA River through the experiences of the communities that cherish it, including youth, railyard works and graffiti artists.
Speak Up – Take a CHANCE Summer Storytelling Workshop*
Chance Theater, Anaheim, CA
Project Director: Ms. Karen O’Hanlon
Over six weeks, a diverse group of youth in North Orange County will participate in storytelling workshops (June-July 2018) and collaborate together to create a work of devised theater that is entirely their own words and ‘Speak Up’ on issues that are important in their lives.
The Community Salon: Home+
Jazzantiqua, Inc (JazzAntiqua Dance & Music Ensemble), Los Angeles, CA
Project Director: Pat Taylor
The Community Salon: HOME is a communal conversation and exchange of ideas centered on the theme “home,” hosted by JazzAntiqua Dance & Music Ensemble at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles (September 2018).
The Fire in Me: A Theatrical Exploration of Domestic Violence in San Diego’s Filipino Community
Access Inc., San Diego, CA
Project Director: Mrs. Thelma de Castro
The Fire in Me is a theatrical exploration of domestic violence in San Diego’s Filipino community. Through a process of community engaged theater, community stories will be developed into a theatrical performance piece.
VOLUMINOUS ART Public Programs
Mingei International Museum, San Diego, CA
Project Director: Ms. Shannon Foley
Mingei International Museum is launching a summer series about the art of the book which will touch on writing, book design, typography, binding, printing, book selling, and original artwork including comics and artist notebooks. Programming will investigate how books have influenced lives, how we define literature and the role of women in the history of book.
*YOUTH VOICES California Humanities has a strong interest in humanities programming that will reach and engage the next generation. These projects involve teens as primary program participants or audiences, and address topics or subjects of interest to them. Grants made in this focus area are supported by the Stuart Foundation.
+ARTS & HUMANITIES California Humanities recognizes the strong interconnections between the arts and humanities. These projects provide humanities learning experiences primarily through the medium of visual or performing arts programming.
