Cal Humanities

"The understanding of a culture comes from hearing the language, tasting the food, seeing personal interactions, experiencing the traditions, and so much more in context."

— Elizabeth Laval & Candice Pendergrass, Sikh Youth Public History Project

"The understanding of a culture comes from hearing the language, tasting the food, seeing personal interactions, experiencing the traditions, and so much more when it is in context."

— Elizabeth Laval & Candice Pendergrass, Sikh Youth Public History Project

Santa Rosa Junior College Oak Leaf journalists Nick Vides, Rebecca Bell and Lauren Spates sit in a room with a microphone and computer to record their podcast.
Santa Rosa Junior College Oak Leaf journalists Nick Vides, Rebecca Bell and Lauren Spates created a four-part podcast called “Chronic Catastrophe” that was picked up by NPR. (Oak Leaf adviser Anne Belden)

California Humanities In the News

A collection of recent news pieces featuring California Humanities Programs, Initiatives, and Grant Recipients:

Humanities for All Project Grants:

“Torres Martinez Tribal Youth Create Art in Salton Sea-focused Summer Internship,” in the Palm Springs Desert Sun by Amanda Ulrich (August 2021). A new summer internship from the tribe blends cultural artwork and elements of social and climate justice.

“Local History Project Trains Students To Tell Sikh Community Stories,” in the GV Wire by Liz Juarez (July 2021). Candice Pendergrass will work in partnership with Gary Chahil to recruit students from Fresno area high schools to produce the oral histories on video. 

“New PV Arts Exhibit Features Local Artists,” in the Good Times by Johanna Miller (June 2021). Pajaro Valley Arts is displaying the work of four local artists in “Pencas del Coraźon.”

“The MAC Launches Sounds of Liberation, Celebrates Juneteenth on June 19,” in the Lake County Record-Bee (June 2021). The Sounds of Liberation: Discovering Wisdom and History in African American Music launches with an intimate conversation and performance with Composer/Musician Clovice Lewis.

“‘Chinese in the Richmond’ Community Open House,” in the SF Weekly by Veronica Irwin (April 2021). The new exhibit aims to tell the stories of Chinese Americans living on the West Side through oral histories, documents, and photos.

Humanities for All Quick Grants:

“Altadena Library District Receives $3K Grant,” in the Pasadena Weekly by Christina Fuoco-Karasinski (July 2021). The “Shared Landscapes” project is a teen-generated digital and print story map that documents the human geography young people create and inhabit in Altadena and the greater San Gabriel Valley.

Humanities Grant Allows Rancho Los Alamitos to Explore Historic Women’s Stories,” in the Press Telegram by Gary Metzker (June 2021). “Women’s Stories from the Gathering Place” has its origins in the Long Beach 2020 Women’s Suffrage Centennial celebration.

New Village Arts Theatre program aims to help seniors share their ‘Stories’” in the San Diego Union Tribune by Lauren J. Mapp (February 2021). Playwrights help nursing home residents and hospice patients connect with others through a series of monologues called ‘Saving Stories’.

California Documentary Project:

A Lowell High School student reviews the new documentary about San Francisco’s most competitive public school,” in the SF gate by Astrid Utting (December 2021). Lowell student Astrid Utting on what the film ‘Try Harder!’ got right, and what it didn’t.

“Sally Gearhart, Veteran Activist and Academic, Dead at 90,” in the Advocate by Trudy Ring (July 2021). Deborah Craig is the director of “Sally,” which recently received a California Humanities grant.

“Pasadena Media Receives Grant From California Humanities For Youth Voices Podcast,” in the Pasadena Now by Staff (June 2021). The project will provide youth with a platform, the skills, and the access to technology. 

Library Innovation Lab Program:

Welcome to Little Arabia: A Monthlong Celebration Makes This Community Feel Seen,” in KCET by Yusra Farzan (December 2021). Through different events over the course of five weeks, the library hopes the non-Arab community will understand the barriers the Arab American community has experienced and overcome.

“Chula Vista Librarian Reaches Out to Immigrant Teens,” in the San Diego Union Tribune by Tammy Murga (May 2021). Part of the project goal is to educate immigrant families with all that a local library has to offer.

Democracy & The Informed Citizen:

SRJC journalists’ catastrophe, trauma related podcast promoted by NPR,” in the Press Democrat by Kerry Benefield (October 2021). Podcast reports on the long-term trauma that recent natural disasters have wreaked on Sonoma County.

This is My Truth: Soy Mexicana and I Carry My Home on My Back,” in the Shasta Scout Opinion Section by Rosa Yadira Contreras (October 2021). A piece written as part of California Humanities Democracy and the Informed Citizen journalism fellowship at Shasta College. 

In the Banlieues: Oakland/Saint-Denis:

French Consulate’s Villa San Francisco Gives Artists A Space To Create New Work,” on CBS San Francisco with Len Kiese (January 2022). San Francisco Cultural Attache Sabine de Maussion and award-winning choreographer Sarah Crowell talk about a new artist-in-residency program that brings a centuries-old French tradition to the Bay Area.