The Humanities Council, a non-profit institution, provides funding for humanities projects throughout the city, and produces several annual programs. We believe that the humanities have the power to strengthen communities, increase communication, and change lives.
We are excited about our current and upcoming projects, and hope to expand our audience through our new blog, and continued outreach in all of the city's wards and neighborhoods . We encourage all Washingtonians to consider applying for a Humanities Council grant, or to participate in one of our enriching programs. On September 21st, the Council will honor the 8 recipients of our 30th Anniversary Special Grant, whose projects will be highlighted on this blog as part of a series called 30 Stories for 30 Days. The 30th Anniversary Showcase will give these grantees the opportunity to demonstrate their projects publicly, and encourage their fellow Washingtonians to support the humanities. The Council will also host a 30th Anniversary Celebration on September 23rd, where featured guests Peggy Cooper Cafritz and Dr. Johnnetta Cole will participate in an intimate discussion with Michel Martin, the host of NPR's "Tell Me More."
Already this year, the Humanities Council has completed two ambitious annual programs - Soul of the City and The Big Read. Soul of the City is a youth leadership program for District of Columbia high school students interested in learning from their neighbors and gaining valuable leadership skills. This year, the students visited several immigrant communities, and produced a unique performance art piece in association with the Playback Theater. The final piece was performed in front of a public audience on April 15th.
This year's Big Read novel was Ernest Gaines's A Lesson Before Dying. Thousands of DC residents read the novel, and many participated in the series of programs sponsored by the Humanities Council and the DC Public Library.
For regular updates on our activities, as well as information about other humanities-related institutions, programs, and events in the DC area, subscribe to our blog and check our website frequently.
The official blog of the Humanities Council of Washington, DC.
