2015 ANNUAL REPORT
The Rhode Island Council for the Humanities SEEDS, SUPPORTS, and STRENGTHENS
public history, cultural heritage, civic education, and community engagement by and for all Rhode Islanders.
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Thank you for celebrating and strengthening Rhode Island’s humanities community in 2015! With your support, the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities joined forces with valued partners to bring together resources, to innovate, and to scale initiatives for greater impact throughout the state. This report features our expanding humanities network, highlighting the accomplishments of our partnerships throughout the past year. Working together, our humanities community has sparked new connections, inspired innovative ideas, and created meaningful experiences to enrich the culture, creativity, and civic life of our state. You contributed to these efforts—by joining us at the Celebration of the Humanities, donating your time and resources, executing a Council grant, participating in a collaborative humanities project, attending a Center for the Book program, or connecting with RI Humanities online. Through grantmaking, collaborations, and partnerships, we have reached more people, developed new relationships, and supported the valuable role of the humanities for cultural, civic, and economic progress. In 2015, we also marked the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Humanities, an exciting opportunity to celebrate our state’s unique history of promoting the humanities in public life. Honoring Rhode Island’s late Senator Claiborne Pell—who sponsored legislation that led to the founding of the National Endowment for the Humanities—the Council partnered with the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University and the University of Rhode Island Libraries to create the Pell Humanities Initiative. A network of imaginative and compelling public humanities programs at colleges, universities, and cultural and historical institutions across the state, the Initiative showcases the vital contributions of the humanities in our society today. We are proud to strengthen Rhode Island’s robust humanities network in strategic and creative ways. Thank you for supporting the future of the Council and the humanities statewide. With gratitude,
Elizabeth Francis
2015 HIGHLIGHTS
PELL HUMANITIES INITIATIVE Partners: Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University, University of Rhode Island Libraries
“It is an honor to be in Rhode Island to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the legacy of Senator Claiborne Pell, who had the foresight to recognize the need for public investment in the humanities. As Senator Pell knew, the humanities contribute richness, beauty, and wisdom to our lives.” NEH Chairman William Adams
THE PELL HUMANITIES INITIATIVE celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Humanities and honors the legacy of Rhode Island’s late Senator Claiborne Pell. Rhode Island’s higher education institutions and cultural organizations are showcasing public humanities events throughout the 2015-2016 anniversary year.
At a celebration in August, current-NEH Chairman Dr. William Adams highlighted how the Initiative: SHOWCASES Rhode Island’s proud history of promoting the humanities in public life and unique connection to the founding of the National Endowment for the Humanities. AMPLIFIES the robust network of humanities programming in Rhode Island. FEATURES the vital role of the humanities in civic life, engaging and addressing the current challenges that we face as a state and as a nation.
2015 HIGHLIGHTS
CATALYZING NEWPORT Steering Committee: International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport Art Museum, Newport Restoration Foundation, Preservation Society of Newport County, Redwood Library & Athenaeum, Rhode Island Historical Society, Salve Regina University
“The chronicled history is almost less important than what will happen. People do not realize how important this group is to the future of Newport because no one else is going to do it. We are writing history today.” Terry Dickinson, Chief of Staff, Preservation Society of Newport County
CATALYZING NEWPORT is a collaborative initiative convening organizations and citizens to create a new vision for a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous city. Based on the core belief that history matters for Newport now, Catalyzing Newport’s network of leaders are developing innovative and substantive ways to engage with the city’s storied places and ideas in order to achieve significant outcomes. In its second year, Catalyzing Newport:
PRESENTED four catalyst residencies by national thought leaders in the areas of: Placemaking (Carol Coletta & Daniel Harris, Knight Foundation); Cultural Policy & Research (Paul Light, New York University); Systems Leadership (Peter Senge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology); and Digital Humanities (Tom Scheinfeldt, University of Connecticut) MOBILIZED cross-sector, local action teams of government officials, policymakers, and cultural and community leaders to address Newport’s cultural and economic challenges and opportunities. ACTIVATED collaborative leadership practices to advance cultural and civic leadership in the state.
2015 HIGHLIGHTS
KIDS READING ACROSS RHODE ISLAND Partners: Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services, Rhode Island PBS, Big Nazo Lab
“The multi-sensory exploration of each book provided by Kids Reading Across Rhode Island programming allows children to engage with the theme with their entire selves, increasing their understanding and creating a vibrant statewide community of readers.” Cheryl Space, Youth Services Coordinator, Providence Community Library
KIDS READING ACROSS RHODE ISLAND is a program of the Center for the Book in partnership with the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services. The program works to transition students in grades 3-6 from their classrooms and school libraries to their community libraries by offering programs and resources focused on one special book each year. In its 6th year, with selected book Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo, the program:
CONNECTED DiCamillo, 2014 Newbery Award Winner, New York Times bestselling author, and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, with over 600 children and families at the Rhode Island State House. DISTRIBUTED over 1,750 copies of Flora and Ulysses to 22 libraries, 33 classrooms, and over 600 children and their families through support from TD Charitable Foundation. BROADENED outreach to underserved communities by introducing free library programming featuring Big Nazo Lab. PILOTED The Author’s Studio television program, an interview with DiCamillo before a live audience at Rhode Island PBS.
Over 90 humanities projects, programs, and special events took place across the state through the Council’s grantmaking, collaborations, and partnerships.
CENTER FOR THE BOOK CATALYZING NEWPORT PELL HUMANITIES INITIATIVE GRANT PROJECT
2015 GRANT PROFILES PUBLIC PROJECT GRANTS
PROVIDENCE ATHENAEUM, $12,410 to Open
Supporting public humanities projects that enrich and
Sesame: Collaboration in the Athenaeum’s Collections
enliven the life of our state through a variety of formats including: community conversations, talks and lectures, new media technology, museum interpretations and
PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL
$12,000 to PCFF Online Film Directory
exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions, book or film
PROVIDENCE PRESERVATION SOCIETY
discussions, oral histories, and radio shows.
$6,470 to Endangered Places, Emerging Stories
AS220, $2,000 to Unpacking Authentic Placemaking
RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE, $1,700 to
Wordsmith/Metalsmith
FIRSTWORKS, $13,000 to Art Activating Community:
Urban Bush Women in Rhode Island
RHODE ISLAND COMPUTER MUSEUM
$2,000 to The Story of Global Communications FREQUENCY WRITERS, $1,920 to A New Spelling
of My Name and Invisible Cities: A Four-Week Creative Writing Workshop for Teens
RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, $2,000 to Combatting Injustice: A Public Dialogue and Online Archive
FRIENDS OF HEARTHSIDE, INC. $2,000 to World’s Fair 1904: Rhode Island Stories from History’s Greatest Exhibition
Foto Historias
INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY AND PRACTICE
RIVERZEDGE ARTS, $10,000 to Stories of Access/
OF NONVIOLENCE, $2,000 to The Prison
Op/Ed Project
Stories of Denial: Civil Rights to Civic Engagement in Northern RI
LITTLE COMPTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY, $2,000 to
$10,000 to The Stories Houses Tell
Bristol: Past and Present
MANTON AVENUE PROJECT, $2,000 to
SANDRA FEINSTEIN-GAMM THEATRE, $2,000 to Pawtucket Humanities Forums: “Why Did You Shoot Me?” Standing Your Ground in Today’s America
The Manton Avenue Project–TAG Team Project– Entrepreneurship Plays MANTON AVENUE PROJECT, $2,000 to
Narragansett Bay Play Festival, our Play-It-Again Program for Fourth Graders NORTH KINGSTOWN FREE LIBRARY, $2,000
to North Kingstown Free Library–A History and Celebration. OPERA PROVIDENCE, $8,245 to Stages of Freedom:
Black Performing Arts in Rhode Island
RI LATINO ARTS, $6,900 to Nuestras Raîces:
UPP ARTS, $2,000 to Exploring Indigenous Culture Around Mashapaug Pond WATERFIRE PROVIDENCE, $5,500 to We Did Start
the Fire: The Burning of the Gaspee & RI’s Role in Sparking the American Revolution WESTERLY LIBRARY AND WILCOX PARK, $2,000
to Out of the Corner: Bringing Westerly Library’s Special Collections to Rhode Island and the World WILBURY THEATRE GROUP, $500 to The Wilbury
Group’s Chat and Chew
GRANT HIGHLIGHTS
PUBLIC PROJECT GRANTS
$172,827 was awarded to 37 grant projects in support of public history, cultural heritage, civic education, and community engagement across the state.
PROVIDENCE PRESERVATION SOCIETY
$6,470 to Endangered Places, Emerging Stories
This series of tours explored the history and demographic shifts of four of Providence’s neighborhoods and the various relationships between preservation, social equality, and sense of place. The grant project concluded with an interdisciplinary symposium at King’s Cathedral in Olneyville where over 100 community members, students, professional preservationists, and history buffs examined the significance of history, preservation, urban development, and the environment. The Symposium brought together local and national experts on preservation and urban expansion to discuss both grand and local challenges that face all communities in the US.
DOCUMENTARY FILM GRANTS DOCUMENTARY EDUCATION RESOURCES
$13,000 to Councilwoman
K-12 CIVIC EDUCATION GRANTS LIVING HISTORY, $9,273 to Iron Man
MET School students participated in hands-on learning about the technical, economic, and cultural impact of 18th-century iron making at the Nathanael Greene Homestead in Coventry. Tackling an archaeological dig and designing interpretive signs for the site, students assisted the Homestead to further understand the significance and size of the iron works that had been concealed by 200 years of natural growth. By engaging in hands-on interdisciplinary education, students realized the impact of colonial history on both the physical and social landscape of Rhode Island. INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH GRANTS MARY BETH MEEHAN, $2,000 to Providence
Portraits: A Public Installation and Conversation
A documentary film about civic participation and democracy, Councilwoman by Margo Guernsey focuses on Carmen Castillo, a Dominican hotel housekeeper and mother who sits on the Providence City Council. The film, which received Council support for three phases including research, development, and production, follows Castillo as she learns the ins and outs of political office and launches a bid for reelection. Councilwoman documents the political engagement of a single individual but stands as a testament to the participation and success of Latino community members in local and state politics as well.
This portrait series highlights the varied backgrounds, identities, and “faces” of the citizens of Providence. The large-scale murals were installed throughout downtown Providence as a part of Providence’s 2015 International Arts Festival, demonstrating the diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and communities that work together to make the Creative Capital a unique and vibrant place to live. An accompanying community dialogue brought together community members featured in the portraits and explored the role of Washington Street as the city’s “Cultural Corridor.” PICTURED ON RIGHT
DOCUMENTARY FILM GRANTS
LIVING HISTORY, $9,273 to Iron Man
Supporting documentary films that preserve Rhode Island’s stories and bring its history to life.
RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, $4,658
DOCUMENTARY EDUCATION RESOURCES
$13,000 to Councilwoman GENEVIEVE BELCHER $1,896 to The Role
to Rhode Island History Digital Textbook WESTERN RHODE ISLAND CIVIC HISTORICAL SOCIETY, $2,000 to Rhode Island Model
Legislature 2.0 (2015)
of Kent County in the Industrial Revolution JEFFREY MATTEIS $1,960 to The Rhode Island
INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH GRANTS
Hip Hop Project
Supporting original research that uncovers Rhode Island’s untold stories and sheds new light on established stories.
K-12 CIVIC EDUCATION GRANTS Supporting projects that enhance the humanities components of K–12 education through the creative integration of the Rhode Island Social Studies Grade Span Expectations in teaching and learning, in order to cultivate the civic leaders of future generations. DAVISVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL, $1,000 to
Snuff, The Triangular Trade Route, and the Gilbert Stuart Connection FUSIONWORKS, $10,000 to The Rhode Island
Immigrant Story—Historical and Personal Journeys of Rhode Island Families HISTORIC NEW ENGLAND, $8,500 to Education
Programs at Arnold House
CHRIS WITT, $1,920 to Literary Providence DANIEL SNYDACKER, $2,000 to The Quiet Genius
of Design: The Architecture of Robert H. Robertson in Rhode Island LUCY BOLTZ, $1,975 to Feeling at Home: West
Elmwood Before and Since Displacement MARY BETH MEEHAN, $2,000 to Providence Portraits: A Public Installation and Conversation PICTURED BELOW
PELL CIRCLE GIFTS OF $2,500 and up
THE PELL CIRCLE is a new giving circle of the Council’s philanthropic leaders. It honors the legacy of US Senator Claiborne Pell, one of the primary sponsors of the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965, which created the NEH. Pell Circle donors raise the level of the Council’s ability to address the challenges Rhode Island faces and catalyze the state’s remarkable history and culture. We are grateful to these founding members for launching this new humanities philanthropy circle. Joan & Richard Abrams Elizabeth Delude-Dix Polly Hutcheson & George Rice Kate & Howard Kilguss Sarah B. Richardson & Craig Richardson William & Alison Vareika The White Family
"The humanities are what we are. They are all of our stories, our collective imagination, our memories, our creativity, our concrete projects for a better society. And we can’t afford not to support the humanities because we can’t afford to not be the best versions of ourselves. It’s that simple." —Dr. Touba Ghadessi, Council board member
FY15 SUPPORTERS We are grateful for the generous support of our donors, funders, and sponsors. You make this work possible.
Nancy W. Bennett
Shawn Anthony Christian, phd
Dorothy Bergeron+
Kathleen Church+
Judith Bertozzi
Kate & Arthur Chute
Christina Bevilacqua
Sharon Collier
GIFTS OF $1,000 and up
Joseph & Mary Ann Bevilacqua
Frances Conklin+
Helen Biancani+
Suzanne Conklin+
Margaret Bierden+
Harold J. Cook
Ms. Christy Law Blanchard & Mr. Kevin Blanchard+
Stephen & Melanie Coon
Lois Blazer+
Mary L. Coyle+
Marcia Bliss+
Nancy Cyr-Larson+
Roger Blumberg & Cristina Mitchell+
Karen Daigle+
Peter & Susan Allen
Vincent Bohlinger & Todd Borgerding
Denise Dangremond
Melody Allen+
Denise Boule+
Mary Almeida+
Patricia Gail Brady+
Nancy Anderson
Linda Brennan+
Pauline & Harry Anderson+
Patricia Brinegar+
Roberta Andreozzi in honor of Joan Abrams
Jim Brosnan+
PELL CIRCLE DONORS ‡ RICFB MEMBERS +
INDIVIDUALS Nancy Abeshaus + Angela Abosamra + Joan & Richard Abrams ‡ Candy Adriance Linda Maia Afonso+
Anonymous Dawn Appleby+ Margaret Asselin+ Evelyn Bain+ Diane Ballou Martha Baril+ Irene Barrow Judith Barrowclough+ Suzanne Bartlett+
Elizabeth Brown+ Winifred Brownell, phd Kathleen Brueckner+ Thomas & Antonia Bryson Charlotte Burnham+ Julia Bush+ Ronald Caniglia Nancy Carignan in honor of Marjory O’Toole
Alfred Basile
Nancy Carriuolo in honor of Carolyn Rafaelian
Deanna Beachen+
Marion Castellucci+
Phoebe Bean
Betty M. Challgren+
Jane Beaton+
Tom Chandler & Lisa Smolski in memory of Theresa Smolski
Henry & Alice HRH Beckwith, phd + Christine Bell+
Bethany Costello+
Lewis & Betty Dana
Carol DeBoer-Langworthy Daniel G. DeCelles Elizabeth Delude-Dix ‡ Jane A. Desforges Muriel Dickinson+ Susan Dillon+ Denise DiMarzio+ Donna Longo DiMichele+ Diane M. Disney Ann Doherty+ Lauren K. Drury & Todd Drury Pamela Dumas+ Jean Edwards in memory of Knight Edwards John Eng-Wong & Priscilla Angelo+ Sandra Enos phd + Tony Estrella Barnaby Evans & Irene Lawrence Holly Ewald
Carolyn Chirnside+
Mary-Beth Fafard
Marie D. Chmielewski+
Barbara H. Findley+
FUNDING SOURCES
WITH YOUR SUPPORT, we are developing the Council’s resources, bringing together national and local funding as well as public and private sources. The graph below shows how we are building on operating support from the National Endowment for the Humanities in concert with individual giving, organizational sponsorships, and foundation grants. Together, this support is the springboard for the community-building, statewide partnerships, and cultivation of the next generation that is advancing the humanities and the vitality of civic life in Rhode Island.
FY16 BUDGET
FY15 ACTUAL
FY14 ACTUAL
$0
$300,000
$600,000
$900,000
NEH
GRANTS & GIFTS (% of total)
TOTAL
FY16 BUDGET
$596,700
$440,900 (42.49%)
$1,037,600
FY15 ACTUAL
$600,400
$352,553 (37.00%)
$952,953
FY14 ACTUAL
$602,700
$280,490 (31.76%)
$883,190
NEH
Other Grants & Gifts
$1,200,000
Rhoda & Allen Flaxman
Galen & Jean Johnson
Carolyn Mark+
Virginia F. Fletcher in honor of Tom Roberts
V. Rolf Johnson+
Jean Martin+
Carole Jolie+
Marilyn Mattera+
Debora Foley+
Justine Karmozyn+
Joyce B. May+
Patti Folsom+
Ellen A. Kellner in memory of George H. Kellner
David & Cheryl McCarthy+
Lynda Fosco+ Elizabeth Francis
Maureen Kelsey+
Touba Ghadessi & John Richard
Kate & Howard Kilguss
Maureen McDonald in honor of Joan Abrams
Gayle L. Gifford & Jonathan W. Howard
Albert & Beverly Klyberg
Paulette McLaren+
Judith & Jonathan Knight
Philip & Elizabeth McMaster
Risa Gilpin
Jessica L. Kowal
Joan Glazer+
Steven Krasner+
Dave & Elizabeth McNab in memory of William Metz
Julie Lombardi Goulet+
Paula Krebs & Claire Buck
Richard & Patricia Menoche+
Lenore Gray in memory of Ira Rakatansky
Paul & Mary Ellen Kroll
Lynne Miller+
Faxine Lafond+
Dr. & Mrs. Gerald Monchik
James & Patricia Lamarre+
Timothy & Rebecca More
Jane Lancaster phd
Adrienne Morris & Stewart Martin in honor of Elizabeth Francis
Karen Gray+ Mayor Donald R. Grebien, City of Pawtucket Elsa S. Grieder+ Wendy Grossman Larson Gunness & Liana Cassar Mattie Gustafson+ Rabbi Leslie Yale Gutterman Dr. Joseph H. Hagan Nancy Haley+ Ellen Hallett John Harkey+ Bill Harley & Debbie Block Amy Harmon+ Dr. Daniel Harrop III Elaine Hazzard+ Tony Herrara Arlene Hicks+ Jeannine Hicks+ Helga Hoffman+ Paula Hooper+ Kathleen Hughes+ Polly Hutcheson & George Rice ‡ P. William Hutchinson Paul Phillips & Kathryne Jennings
‡
Donna Lancaster+ Maureen Lancellotta+ Nola LaSalle+ Wendy Lawton in honor of Elizabeth Francis Francis J. Leazes Jr. phd Mary Lebeau+ Jenna Legault Kate Lentz Barbara Levine Robyn Levine+ Bonnie Lilienthal+ Judy Barrett Litoff, phd Hannah & John Lombardo+ Kathleen Lombardo+ Katherine Long Marilyn Longo+ Steve Lubar & Lisa Theorle David & Sharon Lux+ Marilyn J. Malina
Peter McClure
Douglass & Elizabeth Morse Louise B. Moulton+ Morris & Phyllis Nathanson John Nazarian Patricia Nickles+ John & Patricia Nolan Kim Nusco+ Robin Nyzio+ Edna O’Connell+ Gregg Oehler & Susan Pitt+ Byrant & Barbara Ogden+ Anne Oldmixon+ Ken Orenstein+ Susan Ozbek+ Richard S. Palmer Thomas Palmer & Dominique Alfandre John J. Partridge+
Roger Mandle
Jean & Mark Patiky in honor of Elizabeth Francis, in memory of Eleanor Kornbleuh
Faye Maris+
James T. Patterson
Lynne Malone
RHODE ISLAND CENTER FOR THE BOOK
THE RHODE ISLAND CENTER FOR THE BOOK at the Rhode Island Council for
the Humanities is devoted to promoting personal and community enrichment by celebrating the art and heritage of reading, writing, making, and sharing books. Together, the Center and the Council help build community and connections throughout Rhode Island. In 2015, Reading Across Rhode Island (RARI) brought author and international policy practitioner Derek Miller to explore the importance of the humanities for international affairs and civic life. Miller connected students, teachers, librarians, community leaders, and book lovers who read and discussed his book, Norwegian by Night.
READING ACROSS RHODE ISLAND The 2015 Selection was Norwegian by Night by Derek Miller, novelist and international affairs specialist. Over 2,000 Rhode Islanders participated in RARI’s community read programming, including intergenerational book discussions, thematic workshops, reader’s theatre performances, and keynote lectures with the author. 550 Copies of Norwegian by Night were delivered to 25 libraries, classrooms, and senior centers across the state, along with 300 resource guides aligned to common core standards to support thoughtful engagement with the book.
LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE 713 Rhode Island students in grades 4-12 participated in this national reading and writing contest. Rhode Island winners were announced at an awards ceremony at the William Hall Library in Cranston.
LITERARY LANDMARK Rhode Island’s first Literary Landmark was dedicated in honor of Margaret Wise Brown, author of Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny among many other children’s classics, at Westerly Public Library, which houses a collection of Brown’s papers.
Susan Peckham+
Deming & Jane Sherman
Naida D. Weisberg
Ken & Ann Peloquin+
Paul & Renée Shield
Vivian Weisman+
Robert & Marie Petrarca
Allan & Els Shine
Robin Wetherill
Mark Pompelia+
Edna Shire+
Fox Wetle
Nancy Potter
Carol Shunney+
Mrs. Ruth B. Whipple
Barry Press & Anne Scurria+
Rebecca A. Silliman
The White Family‡
Claire Price in honor of Robert Tessier
John Simmonds
Dianne Whitehead+
Gretchen Dow Simpson & James Baird
Ed & Linda Wood
Judith Queen Kurt A. Raaflaub
Carole Skeffington+
Maureen Reddy
Mary Ann Slocomb+
Connie Worthington & Terry Tullis
Angela & Raymond Renaud
Sylvia Ann Soares
Josephine & Harrison M. Wright
Joan Reuter+
Mary K. Staples
Kristen Wright+
Katherine D. Richardson
Sue Stenhouse
Peter & Patricia Young+
Sarah B. Richardson & Craig Richardson‡
Jonathan Stevens
Kyle & Kristina Zambarano
Denise Richtarik+
Brooke Strachan
ORGANIZATIONS
David T. Riedel
Angela Stupinski+
2nd Story Theatre
Marian Rieth+
Marjorie Lee Sundlun
Rebecca Riley
Muriel Sweeney+
Accounting Management Solutions
Timothy M. Rivinus
Ada Books
Tom & Elizabeth Roberts
Judith Swift in honor of Estes Benson
Sue Roebuck+
Kisa Jo Takesue & Glenn E. Turner
Admiral Dewey Inn
Karen T. Romer
Carol Terry & Jim Janecek
Akashic Books
Ruthy Kohorn Rosenberg
Jeanne Thomason+
Artists’ Exchange
Rita Rosenbloom+
Carol Thomson+
AS220 Industries
Fred & Marcia Rosenzweig
Dianne Thyret+
Audubon Society of Rhode Island
Fred & Sally Rotenberg
Avon Cinema
Sherry Rupp
M.J. Tiernan-Reilly in memory of Ann Waring
Mary Ryder+
Adrian Moore Trask
Barton Gilman, LLP
Patricia A. Saccoccio+
Jeanne Tsakeres+
Beautiful Day
Faber Salazar+
Jessica Unger
Big Nazo Lab
Carolyn Salk+
Daniel W. Varin
Elizabeth J. Sceppa+
William & Alison Vareika ‡
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Katharine Schelleng+
Susan Viveiros+
Broadway Bistro
Mary L. Schwartz
Mary Walsh+
Brown University
Marie Jenkins Schwartz+
Kaitlynne Ward
Rich Schweinsburg
Lynn Watterson+
Audrey Shapiro+
Sarah Weed+
Henry & Peggy Sharpe
George Wein
Patricia A. Woods
Ruth Strach+
Adler Pollock & Sheehan PC
Barrington Books
John Nicholas Brown Center for Public Humanities & Cultural Heritage Cogut Center for the Humanities
NEH CHAIRMAN VISITS RHODE ISLAND
U.S. SENATOR JACK REED AND THE HUMANITIES COUNCIL welcomed Dr.
William Adams, the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, to Rhode Island in April for a visit that highlighted the impact of the NEH's funding throughout the state and showcased Rhode Island’s innovative humanities community. The Chairman’s visit included an interview with Rhode Island Public Radio’s Scott McKay, discussing Rhode Island’s unique connection to the founding of the NEH, as well as a panel discussion on the humanities and the experience of war in which both the Chairman and the Senator participated. Chairman Adams and Senator Reed also joined staff and board members from the Humanities Council to announce the Council’s 2015 major grant awards at a public event held at the Providence Public Library. The Council announced nearly $130,000 in new awards to fourteen organizations in support of humanities projects throughout Rhode Island.
“Funding from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities leverages other funding, acts as a stamp of approval and encourages the economic vitality that our Festival brings to local restaurants, cafes, shops, hotels and other businesses.” —Anisa Raoof, Providence Children’s Film Festival
“This is the story of Rhode Island’s cultural institutions right now—recognizing the value of our history and engaging communities in bold and innovative ways. The Humanities Council seeds, supports, and strengthens these efforts. Each grant expresses the creativity and innovation of public humanities in Rhode Island, and contributes to vitality and progress in our neighborhoods, schools, and cultural sites.” —Elizabeth Francis, Rhode Island Council for the Humanities Executive Director
Bryant University
Ocean State Theatre Company
Cable Car Cinema
Omni Providence Hotel
Campus Fine Wines
Pastiche Fine Desserts
Daniele Inc.
Pell Center at Salve Regina University
Dave’s Marketplace Dean Hotel Dream Authority Music Everett: Company Stage School Festival Ballet Providence Fidelity Investments Fire Works Catering Flatbread Providence, Inc. Frequency Providence Glee Gum Goat Hill Writers
Performing Arts Series at Rhode Island College Preservation Society of Newport County Preserve Rhode Island ProMail Etc. Providence Athenaeum Providence Bruins Providence Children’s Museum Providence College
Gracie’s
Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel
Grimshaw-Gudewicz Charitable Foundation
Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services
Hemenway’s Restaurant
Members of the Board & Staff RI Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School
Humble Pie Company International Tennis Hall of Fame Jamestown Art Center Johnson & Wales University Jolly Roger Deli Linden Place Museum Lippitt House Little Compton Historical Society Local 121 Matthew Ferrara Photography Matunuck Oyster Bar McLaughlin & Moran, Inc. Muse Education Group Museum of Natural History & Planetarium New Urban Arts Newport Restoration Foundation Newport Storm Brewery North Providence Library+
Rhode Island School of Design
Office of the President, University of Rhode Island University of Rhode Island College of Arts & Sciences University of Rhode Island Center for the Humanities University of Rhode Island Libraries University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography University of Rhode Island Division of Research & Economic Development Wheaton College Wheaton Institute for the Interdisciplinary Humanities Wilbury Theatre Group YMCA of Greater Providence
The Council gratefully acknowledges the major support of:
Rhode Island State Council on the Arts
American Library Association
RI Festival of Children’s Books & Authors
National Endowment for the Humanities
RISD Museum
Rhode Island Foundation
RiverzEdge Arts
TD Charitable Foundation
RGB Architects
van Beuren Charitable Foundation
Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre South County Tourism Council Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Centre TD Bank Theatre by the Sea Trinity Repertory Company UMass Dartmouth University of Rhode Island Coastal Institute at University of Rhode Island
Library of Congress
2015 CELEBRATION OF THE HUMANITIES The Celebration's theme, Connect, captured the power of the humanities to create meaningful connections across disciplines, communities, and arenas for action. The 2015 honorees demonstrate how the humanities inspire creativity, bridge academic and public life, foster community, and help us address in meaningful and thoughtful ways the key challenges we face as a society today.
ROGER MANDLE Art Historian, Curator, Educator, and former President of the Rhode Island School of Design; Honorary Chairs’ Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Humanities CONSUELO SHERBA Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Aurea; Tom Roberts Prize for Creative Achievement in the Humanities RHODE ISLAND’S SHELLFISH: AN ECOLOGICAL HISTORY—UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND Innovation in the Humanities Award MATTHEW LAWRENCE Writer, Editor, Curator, and Founder of Not About the Buildings; Public Humanities Scholar Award
2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joan Abrams, Chair Polly Hutcheson, Vice Chair Shawn Christian, PhD, Secretary Gina McDonald, Treasurer Phoebe Bean, mls Winnie Brownell, phd Sharon Collier Daniel DeCelles Lauren K. Drury, Esq. Sandra Enos, phd Rhoda Flaxman, phd Touba Ghadessi, phd Bill Harley Mary Lee Partington Jean Patiky
HONORARY CHAIRS Senator Jack Reed Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
2015 STAFF Elizabeth Francis, phd Executive Director SueEllen Kroll Director of Grants & Strategic Partnerships Carole Ann Penney Director of Operations Kate Lentz Director, Rhode Island Center for the Book
IMAGES & PHOTO CREDITS Our thanks to Matthew Ferrara Photography, Kim Fuller, and all of our grantees and partners who have contributed photographs.
2015 Annual Report publication design by design-agency.org
Adrian Moore Trask Development & Communications Manager Logan Hinderliter Program Coordinator
Angela Renaud, edd John Simmonds Sue Stenhouse William Vareika Kyle Zambarano, Esq.
Y A T S Join us in deepening and broadening access to history, culture, scholarship, and education to enrich and improve the lives of all Rhode Islanders.
N N CO
D E T EC
PARTICIPATE Attend a humanities event near you or apply for a grant to support your next public humanities project.
ADVOCATE Show your support for the humanities by telling policy makers the humanities matter. Write a letter, sign a petition, or share your story.
CELEBRATE Join us for the annual Celebration of the Humanities in October to mark National Arts & Humanities Month.
DONATE Give a gift to strengthen cultural, historical, and civic engagement throughout the state.
Visit rihumanities.org to learn more and join our mailing list. ď‚‚ facebook.com/ rihumanities ď‚™ @rihumanities
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