Press Release

Illinois Films, Exhibitions and Festivals Receive Support From Illinois Humanities Council

CHICAGO, IL- September 16, 2014—The Illinois Humanities Council (IHC) Board of Directors has awarded a total of $50,085 to seven nonprofit organizations across Illinois for development and production of public humanities projects. Community support for these projects totaled $408,920. The grantees are:

  • Writers Talk Series: Voices Without Borders 2: The Enduring Relevance of Octavio Paz – Instituto Cervantes ($5,000) Funding to support a six part speaker series in Chicago about the works of Mexican poet and essayist Octavio Paz from September to November of 2014.
     
  • History! History! – Northeastern Illinois University ($5000)  Funding to support a reading group and film screening series taking place at the Stateville Correctional Center from September 2014 to May of 2015.
     
  • Lunch Talks @ CAF – Chicago Architecture Foundation ($2,500)   a lecture series in architecture and urbanism that will take place from September to December 2014.
     
  • Illinois Poetry Correspondence Program – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($2,500) Funding for SIU-E’s program focusing on a reading, writing and correspondence program of African American literature with Illinois high school students.
     
  • General Support Grant Application – South Suburban Archaeological Society ($2,085) Funding to support the Archaeological Society’s 10 monthly lectures on a variety of archaeological subjects from January to November 2015 in Homewood, Illinois.
     
  • In Remembrance of Me: Feasting with the Dead in the Ancient Middle East – The University of Chicago, on behalf of the Oriental Institute ($5,000) Funding for three programs that complement the exhibition In Remembrance of Me: Feasting with the Dead in Ancient Middle East, in October 2014.
     
  • Education Partnerships – Young Chicago Authors ($5,000) Funding for creative writing programs in 14 schools across Chicago during the 2014-2015 academic year.
     
  • The Journey of Indian Immigrants in America – Indo-American Center ($5,000) Funding for a four week seminar: The Journey of Indian Immigrants in America held from September to October.
     
  • Juke Cry Hand Clap: A People’s History of House Music & Chicago Social Culture – Links Hall ($2,000) Funding to support public workshops from January to October 2014  to gather oral stories on house music as a cultural phenomenon.
     
  • “Collecting Paradise” Public Programs – Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art ($2,500) Funding to support public programs parallel with the exhibition Collecting Paradise at Northwestern University. January  2015.|
  • Jewish History in the Quad Cities – The Putnam Museum and Science Center ($2,500) Funding to support a series of exhibitions that will explore Jewish history in the Quad cities, beginning the summer of 2015 at the Putnam center.
     
  • Chosen (Custody of the Eyes) – Academic Advisory Group Meeting – The Storytelling Trust: farrago vitae ($5,000) Funding to support the production and distribution of the documentary film, Chosen (Custody of the Eyes).
     
  • The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Fifty-Year Commemoration – Carbondale Community Arts ($1,000) Funding to support a weekend long symposium in Carbondale November 7-9.
     
  • Dance Me a Story: Exploring Literature through Ballet – Ballet Quad Cities ($5,000) Funding to support the children’s ballet program Dance Me a Story: Exploring Literature through Ballet between October 2014 and September 2015. 

The IHC invites nonprofit organizations to apply for the next cycle of grant awards by October 15, 2014. Any nonprofit group, organization, or institution is eligible to apply for financial support from the lHC. The IHC funds public projects in the humanities, including documentary films, local and community history projects, literary symposia, and oral history projects. Nonprofits with annual budgets of $250,000 or less can apply for technical assistance grants, and nonprofits with a primary focus on the humanities can apply for general support grants.

Potential applicants may review and download grant applications and guidelines by visiting www.prairie.org/grants. Please call 312.422.5580 or send an email to ihc@prairie.org. IHC program officers are available for consultation, and new applicants are encouraged to contact program officers for grant advice.

About the Illinois Humanities Council

The Illinois Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, with a mission to strengthen society by fueling inquiry and conversation about the ideas and works that shape our culture. 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.

Media Contact:
Carlos Velázquez
(312) 422-5587
cav@prairie.org