2015 Annual Report - Rhode Island Council for the Humanities

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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


131 Washington St, Suite 210 Providence, RI 02903 rihumanities.org 401–273–2250


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Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.