SPRING 2009 MAJOR GRANTS AWARDED
More Than $300,000 to 20 New York State Organizations
Aug 12 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Sara Ogger, 212.233.1131 x30 ogger@nyhumanities.org
Nicole Hanks, 518.618.1508 nhanks@mower.com
New York Council for the Humanities Awards More Than $300,000 in Major Grant Funds to 20 New York State Organizations
Grant Process Most Competitive in Council's History; Demand Demonstrates Need for Humanities Based Programs
July, 2009, New York, NY - The New York Council for the Humanities has awarded more than $300,000 in major grant funds to 20 state organizations located in 11 counties in New York State. These grants will be used to support a variety of programs including major exhibitions, innovative radio programming and engaging public dialogues at venues ranging from community centers to museums to botanic gardens.
"The unprecedented number and terrific quality of proposals in this pool is due in part to the downturn, but also the continuing need in our community for public offerings that educate, entertain, and provoke us to think," said Executive Director Sara Ogger. "There were no easy decisions here."
The Council's Major Grants are awarded twice a year to not-for-profit organizations across New York State. The grants are intended to provide financial support for public programs that bring humanities scholars and scholarships to a general public audience.
The Council received an historic number of grant applications this go-round. Some of the program and project highlights include:
- Community-Centered Programs - meet the public where they live and work such as the African Diaspora Scholars Series at the Baobab Cultural Center in Rochester.
- Innovative Audio - radio-based programs that engage such important topics as "How Did We Get Here: A Radio Program on the Humanities and the Economy."
- Conversation Starters - encourage sustained dialogue and discussion such as the "Now Talks" series focused on contemporary social issues sponsored by the Asian American Writers Workshop.
A full list of the awarded grants is attached. For a more details visit www.nyhumanities.org.
EDITORS NOTE: New York Council for the Humanities executives are available for in-studio, interview and photo opportunities upon request. Please call Sara Ogger or Nicole Hanks for more information.
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Background information on the New York Council for the Humanities:
Founded in 1975 and supported by Federal, State, and private sources, the New York Council for the Humanities helps all New Yorkers lead vibrant intellectual lives by strengthening traditions of cultural literacy, critical inquiry, and civic participation.
Background Information on the Grant Program:
The Council awards Major Grants (up to $20,000) and Mini Grants (up to $2,500). Council grants are meant to provide financial support for public programs presented by not-for-profit organizations across New York State that bring humanities scholars and scholarship to a general public audience. Special consideration is given to projects that reach underserved populations; to projects that, without our funding, might not happen; and to organizations that need financial seed money so that they may secure long-term support from other sources. Major Grants are accepted twice a year on September 15 and March 15. Mini Grants are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information visit www.nyhumanities.org/grants
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New York Council for the Humanities
Spring 2009 Major Grant Round
Awarded Projects
TO COME
