A publication of Mass Humanities Fall 2013

Mass Humanities Newsletter Goes Green Above & Beyond The print of our newsletter will be phased out after this issue. Join Talk of a crisis in the humanities as the most salient criteria for evaluating our work. Mass Humanities in saving paper and spins a woeful web about our chosen The American Academy of Arts & Sciences recently register now for the digital edition at: field, and the headlines have us issued a much-discussed report entitled The Heart masshumanities.org/news_signup caught between plunging budgets and of the Matter that outlines a plan for the humanities sagging numbers of students major- to take a central role in improving the nation. The ing in the humanities. Some numbers, report sets long-term goals for achieving economic though, are going up, including our age—Mass well-being and strengthening civil society and its core In This Issue Humanities marks its 40th anniversary in 2014—and to celebrate, we reviewed our four- decade history. It is remarkable the extent to Letter from the Director page 2 which the grants we made and programs we ran What we found in our history have indisputably enhanced and improved civic Welcome to Our New life in the Commonwealth. illuminates the strengths of the Board Members page 4 humanities, showing that no Since our inception in 1974, Mass Humanities has matter the challenges, we can Heritage and History emphasized the public value of the humanities. in Western Mass. Two decades into our mission, the editorial in the meet and exceed expectations. page 5 newsletter that celebrated our 20th anniversary remarked that the careful balance of commitment, Public Squared collaboration, and community were the “well- Takes Root page 5 springs of our program”—and indeed, they are still. What we found in our history illuminates the rubric for success is meeting future workforce needs. Recent Grants strengths of the humanities, showing that no matter The report is indicative of a trend among humanities page 6 the challenges, we can meet and exceed expectations. scholars who increasingly recognize the value of pub- lic engagement. Scholars glean lessons from outside 10th Annual Fall Today, the focus is largely on job creation and career the academy and equip students of all stripes with the Symposium preparation, evinced by opinion pieces and editori- tools they need to establish, maintain, and succeed in page 8 als in numerous media outlets that emphasize these their careers. Continued on page 7

40th Anniversary Milestones 1992 to 1995 Different People, Different Places Statewide 1986 to 1988 Shifting Gears Statewide On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s “discovery” of the New World, more than 2,000 Massachusetts residents examined the environmental and cultural Our first major statewide project, in partnership with the legacy of the European encounter with the Americas through and Heritage State Parks, focused on six once prosperous scholar-led discussions in public . manufacturing communi- ties and provided residents with a powerful record of their hometown memories though the lens of the ever-changing nature of work in Massachusetts. Letter from the Director

MASS HUMANITIES 66 Bridge Street Northampton, MA 01060 tel (413) 584-8440 fax (413) 584-8454 Reflections on Mass Humanities’ www.masshumanities.org

40th anniversary year By David Tebaldi STAFF David Tebaldi When people ask me how long I have been Yes, sometimes I feel a little like Moses, 40 years EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR [email protected] Executive Director of Mass Humanities, my reply wandering in the desert in search of the Promised is often met with mild astonishment. It is rare Land. My “desert” is a social, political and cultural Pleun Bouricius DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND GRANTS anymore for someone to stay in the same position environment hostile to the humanities, one in [email protected] with the same organization for 29 years. The 40th which economic values reign supreme, crass com- anniversary of the Massachusetts Foundation for mercialism dominates our culture, and self-regard Carolyn Cushing ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT the Humanities seems like an appropriate occasion takes precedence over the common good. [email protected] to explain why I feel so privileged to have led this Deepika Fernandes organization for nearly three decades. FISCAL OFFICER “My “Promised Land” is a robust [email protected] Having been professionally trained in the public square where history, literature, Anne Rogers humanities—disciplines, let’s be honest, SYSTEMS MANAGER that are too often written off as useless philosophy, and the other humanities [email protected] and get little respect in the world at large— Rose Sackey-Milligan it does me good to devote my professional disciplines are valued by all” PROGRAM OFFICER [email protected] life to demonstrating the crucial role that the humanities play both in personal development My “Promised Land” is a robust public square David Morgan COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER and in community life. There are of course many where history, literature, philosophy, and the EDITOR OF MASS HUMANITIES different ways of doing this, but none more ef- other humanities disciplines are valued by all— [email protected] fective or personally rewarding as working in the but especially by our political leaders—both for John Sieracki public humanities. themselves and for their ability to illuminate our DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT common concerns and help us imagine a better AND COMMUNICATIONS [email protected] What is unique about the state humanities councils world. It is a place where political disagree- is that they do this through an unusual process ments are resolved through thoughtful reflection Melissa Wheaton ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND of collaboration—face-to-face encounters—be- and reasoned discussion, where ideas are more GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR tween the academy and the practical world from important than ideology. It is a place where the [email protected] which both benefit greatly. Our boards themselves complexity and nuance that characterize almost Hayley Wood are such collaborations, consisting as they do of every aspect of human relations are understood SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER roughly equal numbers of scholars and members of and appreciated. [email protected] the public broadly representative of each state’s di- Mass Humanities promotes the use of versity. Every program we offer and every humani- Needless to say, we are not there yet, but we history, literature, philosophy, and the ties project we support through our grants bring are a lot closer to the Promised Land (here in other humanities disciplines to deepen our understanding of the issues of the scholars and community leaders together to deepen Massachusetts at least) than when we set out day, strengthen our sense of common our understanding of issues that matter to us, as in 1974 on what one of our long ago board purpose, and enrich individual and com- munity life. We take the humanities out individuals and as members of our communities. chairs—a motorcycle riding, poetry-writing of the classroom and into the community. We bring the life of the mind to the turmoil of life. Republican business executive from Orange— Mass Humanities, a private, nonprofit, called “this noble enterprise.” educational organization, receives fund- This work is always interesting and informative. ing from the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Massachusetts Cultural At times it can be revelatory and exhilarating. I’m often asked by those same people who Council, a state agency; and private are curious about my tenure, of the hundreds sources. of projects Mass Humanities has supported

1999 State House Women’s Leadership Sculpture dedicated at State House The contributions of six women to public life in the Commonwealth are commemorated in a permanent work of art commissioned for the Massachusetts State House. The project included a middle school curriculum called Making A Difference used by more than 400 teachers. 2 PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRANTEES or conducted, which is your ize the contributions of six women (Dorothea Dix, Lucy Stone, MASS HUMANITIES favorite? This is kind of annoy- Sarah Parker Remond, Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, Mary Kenney 66 Bridge Street BOARD OF DIRECTORS Northampton, MA 01060 ing–like being asked to name your O’Sullivan and Florence Luscombe) and the effects of their life’s tel (413) 584-8440 CHAIR favorite . There are too many work on the laws of the Commonwealth. Even the very best hu- fax (413) 584-8454 Ben Birnbaum BOSTON COLLEGE www.masshumanities.org wonderful possibilities to choose manities programs tend to be ephemeral. They live on, when they VICE CHAIR a favorite. But here are a few proj- do, only in archives or in the memories of those who experienced STAFF Nancy Netzer THE MCMULLEN MUSEUM OF ART ects that have meant a lot to me them first-hand.HEAR US is forever. David Tebaldi TREASURER and helped advance the mission EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR James R. Burke of Mass Humanities in significant, our electronic archive of Massachusetts history, [email protected] HINCKLEY, ALLEN & SNYDER LLP Mass Moments, CLERK and significantly different, ways: was groundbreaking (at least for state humanities councils) when it Pleun Bouricius G. Perry Wu was launched in our 30th anniversary year–combining a rich and DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND GRANTS STAPLES, INC. [email protected] SHIFTING GEARS: The Chang- engaging website, email delivery of each day’s moment available jessie little doe baird by (free) subscription, and an associated series of one-minute radio WÙPAN‚AK LANGUAGE ing Meaning of Work in Massa- Carolyn Cushing RECLAMATION PROJECT was our first spots aired daily on stations across the Commonwealth. An unex- ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT chusetts, 1920-1980 [email protected] Ellen Berkman attempt to have a state-wide impact pected bonus has been the use to which the original research and HARVARD UNIVERSITY with a single project. Working with outstanding writing done for Mass Moments has been used (and Deepika Fernandes Kathryn Bloom COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT FISCAL OFFICER the state Department of Environ- cited) by historians, writers and classroom teachers. [email protected] Lauren Cohen mental Management (as it was then RUDER FINN Anne Rogers Javier Corrales called), we placed scholars in resi- The Clemente Course in the Humanities, of course. Readers of SYSTEMS MANAGER AMHERST COLLEGE dence in six of the Commonwealth’s this newsletter know it well. A remarkable collaboration between [email protected] Elliot Bostwick Davis Heritage State Parks (in Holyoke, Mass Humanities, local social service agencies, and area colleges MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS Rose Sackey-Milligan Alfred Griggs North Adams, Gardner, Lawrence, and universities, the Clemente Course provides college-level human- PROGRAM OFFICER NORTHAMPTON Fall River, and the Blackstone Val- ities classes in five subject areas free of charge to low-income adults. [email protected] Andrew Peter Helene ley) to lead groups of local residents Established first in Holyoke in 1999, the program has also been RBS CITIZENS, N.A. David Morgan in explorations of the changes in the offered in Boston, New Bedford, Worcester and, beginning this fall, COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Ronald B. Hertel WELLS FARGO ADVISORS, LLC EDITOR OF MASS HUMANITIES local economies over time and how in Brockton. Nothing Mass Humanities does has a more profound [email protected] Lindsey Kiang those changes affected each commu- or lasting impact on the lives of individuals than Clemente. CHESTNUT HILL nity’s understanding of itself. It was John Sieracki Leila W. Kinney MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT an ambitious and largely successful Finally, a quick mention of our annual fall symposium—as we OF TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS two-year undertaking and one that mark its anniversary in this its tenth year—in which we bring a [email protected] Lucia Z. Knoles ASSUMPTION COLLEGE quite literally put the foundation on group of prominent scholars and practitioners together to critically Melissa Wheaton James Lopes the map in Massachusetts. examine some fundamental aspect of our democracy or the inter- ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL OF LAW GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR play between our democracy and other important social or cultural [email protected] Jeffrey Musman The State House Women’s Lead- institutions. Generously hosted by Boston College, the symposium SEYFARTH SHAW, LLP ership Project deserves special now has a devoted following of nearly 400 intellectually curi- Hayley Wood Robert Pura SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER GREENFIELD COMMUNITY COLLEGE mention not only because of the ous and politically engaged adults. Better than any of our other [email protected] Tom Putnam quality of its concept and execution, programs perhaps, the symposium fulfills the mandate given to the JOHN F. KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL AND MUSEUM but also because of its permanence. state humanities councils by Congress when they were created in Mass Humanities promotes the use of history, literature, philosophy, and the Bianca Sigh At the request of the state senate, the early 1970s: to demonstrate the relevance of the humanities to other humanities disciplines to deepen NYSTROM BECKMAN & PARIS LLP Mass Humanities took responsibility the contemporary concerns of our national life. our understanding of the issues of the Lisa Simmons day, strengthen our sense of common MASSACHUSETTS OFFICE OF for funding and overseeing a long- purpose, and enrich individual and com- TRAVEL & TOURISM overdue effort to commemorate the It was a different Congress in 1974. Unlike Moses and the Israel- munity life. We take the humanities out John Stauffer of the classroom and into the community. HARVARD UNIVERSITY contributions of women to public life ites, we have not been cast out although we could be if the current Kathleen Stone in the Commonwealth. The stunning House Republicans on the Interior and Environment Appropria- Mass Humanities, a private, nonprofit, ATTORNEY AT LAW educational organization, receives fund- result was HEAR US, an elegant and tions Committee have their way. They have proposed 49% cuts for ing from the National Endowment for the Ken Vacovec VACOVEC, MAYOTTE & SINGER, LLP eloquent work of art permanently the NEH and the NEA for 2014. No other federal agencies have Humanities; the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency; and private Suzanne Frazier Wilkins installed in the State House in 1999. been singled out in this way. And the effect of such a reduction on sources. EXECUTIVE COACH The large-scale sculptures executed the federal budget deficit would be insignificant to say the least. in marble and bronze memorial- Clearly this is not about the money. What is it about?

2000 Traveling Humanities 2000 Debut Massachusetts Seminars to Cuba opened for Clemente Course in the registration Statewide Humanities established Holyoke Mass Humanities led people-to-people cultural The Care Center in Holyoke was our first partner exchanges in Cuba between 2000-2003 and in bringing this life-transforming program to again in 2010-2012. The program brought Massachusetts. The Clemente Course provides more than 500 Massachusetts residents to college level humanities courses in five subject Cuba for week-long visits with local scholars, areas free of charge to low income adults in artists, and entrepreneurs during a time of 2 Boston, Brockton and New Bedford. transition in the island nation. 3 Welcome to our New Board Members BIANCA SIGH is a young professional with unique in- LINDSEY KIANG is a retired attorney and now an inde- sight into the Boston art community. After working at the pendent scholar and historian. His previous legal career Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (MFA) raising corporate included corporate practice in the software industry, funds for the institution she went on to the School of the specializing in intellectual property law, and an appoint- Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) to work with emerging art- ment as general counsel of Yale University. Lindsey is a ists where her passion for relationship building grew. She past chair of the board of trustees of the Massachusetts currently works as a paralegal at the firm of Nystrom College of Art and served on the Governor’s Commis- Beckman & Paris LLP in Boston’s Fan Pier and serves on the PAC Board sion on the Future of the State Colleges, the board of trustees of the USS at Mass Equality. Bianca graduated from Bowdoin College in 2006 with Constitution Museum, and the board of overseers of the Isabella Stuart a Bachelor’s degree in art history. She currently resides in Boston. Gardner Museum. He also retired as a reserve officer in the Marine Corps, and after publication of his first book on combat art in Vietnam in 2006, his LAUREN COHEN is a senior vice president at Ruder Finn, research interests are now focused on the air war over North Vietnam from a strategic communications firm based in New York City. 1965-72. Lindsey is a graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School, and he She has been with Ruder Finn since 2002 and is responsi- and his wife reside in Chestnut Hill. ble for driving corporate communications programs across a variety of clients in the healthcare, technology, finance, JESSIE LITTLE DOE BAIRD is a linguist known for her and non-profit areas. While at Ruder Finn, Lauren’s efforts to revive the Wampanoag language. She received a work has helped earn numerous PR industry awards for MacArthur Fellowship in 2010. She has a master’s degree the agency and her clients. She received her BS in marketing from Lehigh from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. According University. She and her husband live in Boston. to Wampanoag prophecy, a Wampanoag woman would leave her home to bring back the language, and “the ANDREW PETER HELENE is a vice president in the children of those who had had a hand in breaking the Private Equity Banking Group at RBS Citizens, N.A. in language cycle would help heal it.” Jesse is featured in the MH-funded PBS Boston. Drew received his BA in history and economics documentary, “We Still Live Here—Âs Nutayuneân”, by Anne Makepeace. from Williams College, MBA in finance from Columbia She was appointed to the board by Governor Deval Patrick. University, and Master’s in International Public Policy from the Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at And a Fond Farewell Johns Hopkins University. Drew is a former board member of the Cape Cod Technology Council and resides in Brewster. Prior to SONIA NIETO of Amherst, Professor Emerita of Language, Literacy & Culture at the University of Massachusetts School of Education and an moving to the Cape in 2004, Drew worked in Washington at the Center for internationally respected expert on multicultural education will be retiring Education Reform and edited A Tough Act to Follow? The Telecommunica- from the Mass Humanities board of directors this fall after six years of tions Act of 1996, by Harold Furchgott-Roth, for the American Enterprise distinguished service. Sonia served with distinction on the Grant Review Institute. He also worked for ABN AMRO Bank N.V., syndicating loans Committee, where she advocated for the inclusion of many voices in our for clients on the West Coast and in Canada after beginning his career at grant programs, the Program Evaluation Committee, and the Membership the Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company in New York where he covered Committee, which she chaired for two years. Sonia was also a member of Dallas and New Orleans. the Executive Committee. Her perceptive insights and elegant style will be missed by board and staff alike.

Mass Humanities welcomes nominations for board membership, including self-nominations, at any time. Members serve once-renewable three-year terms. Nominees must live or work in Massachusetts and share a deep commitment to the public value of the humanities. Anyone interested in knowing more about the responsibilities and rewards of board service may contact Mass Humanities Executive Director David Tebaldi.

2003 Literature & Medicine organized in first five MA hospitalsStatewide Health care professionals from Boston to Pittsfield began hosting literature-based, 2004 First Annual Fall Symposium at scholar-led conversations in Boston College held, on “U.S. Presidents their hospitals about the challenges and rewards in Perspective: The Shifting Fortunes of of care giving. In its ten Presidential Reputations” Chestnut Hill years, Lit & Med has been offered 38 times Biographers, historians, and other political observers at 15 Massachusetts discussed the role of the presidency in our democracy health institutions. and changing public perceptions of U.S. presidents over time in our first free public symposium. This year, the series marks its tenth annual event. 4 PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRANTEES Heritage and History in Western Mass. Public Squared Takes Root

Our Public Squared grant program invites the collaboration of two or more organizations whose work together brings public discourse to life. The first recipient of this grant, Central Square Theater, staged community conver- sations and other interactive programming alongside their production of Roots of Liberty: The Haitian Revolution and the American Civil War in May. The historical pageant traced the relationship between the Haitian Revolution, American abolitionism, and the Civil War while also asking questions about today’s race relations. Appropriately timed to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Roots of Liberty drew the sup- The valleys and hills of Western port of noted authors, Massachusetts are peopled with scholars, and actors varied ethnicities whose valuable who contributed to the contributions to the region play and the post- continue to shape its history. production moderated The Springfield-based newspaper discussion of the The Republican showcases the Haitian diaspora. area’s African American, Jewish, Residents of the Greater Boston area contributed additional support Irish, and Latino history in their and co-created the script and puppetry used in the show. Heritage series of limited edition pictorial . Order online at A single Public Squared grant of $25,000 is awarded once each year. http://bit.ly/wmheritage Qualified organizations must meet our Engaging New Audiences initiative criteria and fit within the guidelines for our thematic initiative, Crisis, Community, and Civic Culture.

2005 Mass History Conference, “The Commonwealth Around Us: Interpreting Mass Moments 2005 Our Spaces and Places” Leominster launched Online Our annual series of Mass History gatherings has become Our digital almanac of Massachusetts an essential networking opportunity for organizations history is a popular resource for teachers statewide, showcasing our partners’ best local history and lifelong students. In its inaugural projects and practices and honoring individuals or year, 60-second spots were aired daily organizations for outstanding contributions to on 18 radio stations from Pittsfield to public history in the Commonwealth. Provincetown. Multimedia content about each Mass Moment is available 2007 The Public Humanist daily by (free) subscription. blog published on the Valley Advocate Web site Online

Drawing on the talents of forty Massachusetts writers, filmmakers, and humanities professionals, our blog illustrates how the humanities can inform our public policy conver- sations and showcases humanities content from Mass Humanities- funded projects.

4 5 5 Several of the grants fall under special categories: Recent Grants CCCC: Crisis, Community, and Civic Culture ENA: Engaging New Audiences RIG: Research Inventory Grant

Boston The racial identity Northeast Berkshires $5,000 to the Boston Book Festival of Derek Burrows is $1,500 to the Lowell History $9,980 to WAM Theatre in Lee the subject of The to bring authors of national repute Mirror of Race’s Society to archive the city’s Division to involve local young women in to the Copley Fair festival for three film, “Reflections of Planning and Development the production of a play about the days of varied programs with on Race” , including photographs life of Émilie de Breteuil, a French multiple literary collaborators. and handwritten field-notes from enlightenment scientist/philosopher. the 1970s onward. RIG ENA $3,849 to the USS Constitution $10,000 media pre-production Museum to develop a video installa- grant to The Mirror of Race Project tion about how Old Ironsides in Auburndale to support a script Central was built by skilled boat- and trailer for a documentary film $5,000 to the Worcester Center wrights, focusing on the about meaning of race in America. for Craft to mount an exhibit and all important axe. programs exploring the history and $10,000 to the Boston-based culture of Carnival in eight commu- Trotter Institute for a series of nities in Europe and the Americas. six staged readings of plays Shipwright Jacob from August Wilson’s ten-play $10,000 media pre-production Sibley’s axe, one of the only remaining tools cycle about the lives of African grant to ValleyCAST for a script used to build USS Constitution Americans in the decades of the and trailer for a documentary twentieth century. CCCC about the Whitin family’s mills in Madame Émilie de Breteuil Whitinsville and the employees at her Desk, depicted by an $5,000 to the Bostonian Society $5,000 to the Drinking Gourd in this company town. unknown French artist in support of French-Canadian Project to plan the core exhibit for historical re-enactors taking part the Robbins House in Concord, a in a public commemoration of the home built by the son of slavery Western 250th anniversary of the treaty that survivor and Revolutionary War $7,500 to the Museum of Contem- Out of State ended the French and Indian Wars. veteran Caesar Robbins in the porary Art at UMass Amherst for $10,000 to WAMC Northeast early 1800s. Springfield-based programs featur- Public Radio to produce three one- $5,000 to the Paul Revere House ing artists whose new work about hour radio segments taking a look in Boston for the design and $5,000 to the Filmmakers Collab- the vision of W.E.B. Du Bois will be at civility (and the lack thereof) in fabrication of a display about the orative for an on-line exhibit and exhibited at the museum. ENA public discourse. CCCC varied career and entrepreneurship archive of images, film clips and of Paul Revere. sound files related to the early years of WBCN FM in Boston and protest movements on Boston Common.

2009 First Frederick Douglass event held Boston Now in its fifth year, our award-winning program facilitates communal readings of Douglass’s most famous speech The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro in various communities throughout Massachusetts.

2008 Family Adventures in Reading (FAIR) first hosted by MA libraries Statewide Caregivers and children alike have enjoyed five years of FAIR, which has introduced the pleasures and rewards of reading and storytelling to thousands. At 40, we have a long track record of Above & Beyond, continued from page 1 successfully inspiring audiences across Our programs have prepared participants scientific research— for further learning and career advancement. stands apart from the state and we hope that you will join The Clemente Course in the Humanities has metrics. Just as us in ensuring that this important work awarded college credit to more than 400 scientific inquiry low-income adults in the last 14 years. The provides a deeper continues for years to come. majority—77%—go on to higher education, understanding of the access to which has been made easier by their physical universe, hu- participation in our program, and 92% re- manistic inquiry provides a more profound tions through oral histories, to name only a port that their life goals have been furthered. understanding of ourselves. select few. The Clemente course brings renewed passion and a way forward to underserved communi- For decades, we have known that focusing None of this would be possible, of course, ties, rewarding students in the process with on public issues is the best way to connect without the generous contributions of time, professional skills like project management, with the people of Massachusetts. The sig- talent and money from board members and collaboration, and communication. nificant work being done by our grantees and friends, project scholars, project scholars collaborators receives our attention and sup- and members of the general public who More than 800 participants in our work- port because it reflects and strengthens our attend and value our programs. We are pro- place program Literature & Medicine know state and national ideals. These same prin- foundly grateful for their, for your support. the value of ongoing career education. For ciples are explored each year in our public the past ten of our forty years, hospital symposium, celebrating its tenth anniversary And we owe a special debt of gratitude to workers and volunteers alike have read this fall. Scholars and journalists join public the National Endowment for the Humani- and discussed literary works that help them officials and citizens in exploring issues that ties for its support, both over the decades reflect on their vocations as medical practi- are both timely and of enduring importance and particularly now, as we connect with tioners. The scholar-led conversations that to our democracy and the conversations that those who have limited access to the human- occur at these sessions result in improved take place at the symposium encourage and ities. Indeed, our ongoing Inspire campaign interpersonal relations with patients and inform civic engagement. to endow the Fund for New Communities colleagues, according to 64% of respon- has been boosted by a prestigious Chal- dents, and 62% went on to say the program This combination of humanities scholarship lenge Grant from the NEH. Our objective has increased their job satisfaction. with an engaging and accessible format also for Inspire is to raise $3 million in order to characterizes our grant program, of course, further our capacity to share the humani- Of course, the true value of the humani- which has served virtually every municipal- ties with those same communities served by ties does not lie in quantitative analyses of ity in the state in our 40 years. We have the Clemente program and the Engaging workforce preparedness. Rather it derives made a renewed effort recently to extend New Audiences initiative. Already we have from their ability to inform and enlighten our grant program’s reach. Those project raised over $1 million, and meeting our our individual and collective choices, so at proposals that can engage new audiences goal would mean we could enhance both the same time that we celebrate the humani- with historically limited access to the hu- of those programs, expanding the Clemente ties quantitatively, we need also do what the manities receive special consideration. We Course and transforming more lives with tradition calls on us to do and describe their have also allocated additional grant dollars the power of the humanities. value qualitatively. The humanities ensure to such programming and since it began, not only that suitable candidates enter the the Engaging New Audiences initiative has At 40, we have a long track record of workforce, but that the full spectrum of been continuously successful and growing. successfully inspiring audiences across the learning is available to all. We advocate on To date, Mass Humanities has funded proj- state and we hope that you will join us in behalf of the humanities because curiosity ects engaging veterans through community ensuring that this important work continues is not quantifiable; the value of humanis- conversations, urban youth through poetry for years to come. tic inquiry—not unlike the value of basic and storytelling, and immigrant popula-

Civility and American 2012 2013 The Inspire Democracy: A National Forum Boston campaign established The Center for Civil Discourse Statewide at UMass Boston’s McCormack Graduate School and Mass The Inspire campaign is an ongo- Humanities organized this ing effort to sustain and extend program, which put leading our work to new and underserved scholars and journalists in communities. The endowment discussion about the role will enliven, inspire, challenge, civility plays in American and engage the Commonwealth politics and civic life. through the gifts of the hu- manities and is supported by a prestigious NEH Challenge Grant and donors like you. 7 PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRANTEES Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID 66 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Permit #1528 masshumanities.org Spfld, MA

10th Annual Fall Symposium Save the Date Saturday, November 9, 2013 E Pluribus Paralysis: 12:30 PM, Boston College Can We Make Our Democracy Work? The corrupting influence of money, the manipulation of elections, and the enduring legacy of social, racial, and gender divisions have eroded confidence in America’s political system. The Mass Humanities Fall Symposium will focus on constructive ideas for making our democracy work.

Moderated by award-winning broadcast journalist Jane Clayson

Capital Ideas: Reducing the influence of money in our democracy Thomas Mann, W. Averell Harriman Chair and Senior Fellow in Governance Studies, The Brookings Institution; Zephyr Teachout, Associate Professor of Law, Fordham University; Alan Wolfe, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life, Boston College Righting Voting Wrongs: Making our republic more democratic Heather Gerken, Professor of Law, Yale Law School; Alexander Keyssar, Professor of History and Social Policy, John F. Kennedy School of Government; Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Director, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture Bending the Arc of History: Toward equality and democracy Reniqua Allen, Freelance Journalist and Schwartz Fellow, New America Foundation; Kenneth Feinberg, Administrator, One Fund Boston; Glenn Loury, Merton P. Stoltz Professor of the Social Sciences and Professor of Economics and Public Policy, Brown University

Register and interact with us at: masshumanities.org/mhsymposium