Press Release

ILLINOIS HUMANITIES COUNCIL (IHC) AWARDS MAJOR GRANTS AT FALL BOARD MEETING

Next Major Grant proposals due February 15, 2009

CHICAGO – The Illinois Humanities Council Board of Directors has awarded a total of $114,864 to 13 Illinois nonprofit organizations for development and production of public humanities projects. 

Funded projects include a history and literature program in Rock Island, a study of Persian culture in Chicago, a documentary film on a landmark Supreme Court case produced in Urbana, and a local history project for young people in Barry.

Community support for these projects totaled $1,115,074. The awardees are:

  • Barry Public Historians, Barry Public Library, Barry ($10,000)
  • Choices, Neighborhood Writing Alliance, Chicago ($7,600)
  • Exploring Humanities Through Persian Culture, Iran House of Greater Chicago, Chicago ($10,000)
  • Free Write Jail Arts and Literacy Program, Chicago Lights, Chicago ($8,264)
  • Howard Alk Retrospective, Chicago Film Archives, Chicago ($10,000)
  • Mixing It Up, Community Television Network, Chicago ($10,000)
  • The Origins of Now — The Stories of the Chicago Nisei, Japanese American Service Committee of Chicago, Chicago ($4,000)
  • Tony & Janina’s American Wedding, Kartemquin Films, Chicago ($10,000)
  • Reeltime Independent Film and Video Forum, Evanston Public Library, Evanston ($10,000)
  • Challenging History Through Literature, Quad City Arts, Rock Island ($10,000)
  • The Lord is Not on Trial Here Today, University of Illinois-Urbana, Urbana ($10,000)
  • Striking the Chord: Finding Harmony in Difference, Music Institute of Chicago, Winnetka ($5,000)
  • Women and Prison Project, Beyondmedia Education, statewide, including prisons in Dwight, Pekin, and Decatur ($10,000)       

The next deadline for major grant proposals (up to $10,000) is February 15, 2009. The next deadlines for mini grant proposals (up to $2,500) are October 15, 2008 and January 15, 2009. Potential applicants may review and download grant applications and guidelines by visiting www.prairie.org/grants. Grant information may also be requested by calling 312.422.5580 or by sending an email to ihc@prairie.org.  IHC program officers are available for consultation; new applicants are particularly encouraged to seek consultation.  

The IHC puts a priority on funding projects developed by, for, or aimed at reaching new or historically neglected audiences. These include — but are not limited to — residents of rural communities, men and women with little formal education, inner city or other underserved youth (in after-school or weekend programs), people who are economically disadvantaged, or the elderly.

The IHC especially invites applications from organizations that serve these communities and strongly encourages other applicants to extend their programs to include such audiences. The IHC encourages applications for projects about American history and culture.

The Illinois Humanities Council is a nonprofit educational organization [501 (c) 3] dedicated to fostering a culture in which the humanities are a vital part of the lives of individuals and communities. Organized in 1973 as the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the IHC creates programs and funds organizations that promote greater understanding of, appreciation for, and involvement in the humanities by all Illinoisans, regardless of their economic resources, cultural background, or geographic location. The IHC is supported by state, federal, and private funds.

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