In The News

Illinois Humanities Announces $54K in Community Grants

August 11, 2021
By Mark Hallett, Director of Grants Programs

Among projects funded are a Social Justice tour in Bloomington-Normal, the “Losing Normal” initiative in Rushville, and a mural and documentary project in Elgin

Illinois Humanities has awarded 13 grants, totaling $54,600, to support public humanities projects across the state through its Community Grants program. Through the program, grants are made three times annually to support public humanities projects that strengthen community resilience by bringing people together for inquiry and conversation, engaging new audiences, and exploring more interactive programming techniques – such as digital humanities tools. Simply put, funding supports public humanities programming, planning, and partnerships.

Of the 13 organizations and projects funded, 5 are located in Chicago, 1 is in a Chicago suburb, and 7 are located or feature activity elsewhere. They include:

  • Hardin County History and Genealogical Society / Ferry Tales: Outlaws and Travelers on the Ohio ($3,000) – Elizabethtown
  • Crossing Borders Music / Songs and Stories of Healing ($4,000) – Chicago
  • Not In Our Town / Bloomington-Normal Social Justice Tour ($3,100) – Normal
  • Fifth House Ensemble / Equitable and Inclusive Organizational Practices ($2,100) – Chicago
  • Urban Theater Company / The BIPOC Trail ($8,100) – Chicago
  • Western Illinois Museum / Great Ideas of Humanity: CT Vivian ($4,000) – Macomb
  • The HUB – Arts and Cultural Center / Losing Normal ($2,000) – Rushville
  • University of Illinois YMCA / Finding Meaningful Belonging During COVID19 ($4,000) – Champaign
  • Elgin History Museum / Making Space: A Mural and Documentary Project ($4,000) – Elgin
  • Friends of the Chicago Reporter / The Intersection of Journalism and Racial Justice, an oral history project ($4,100) – Chicago
  • MAKE Literary Productions / Lit & Luz Festival 2021 “Structures” ($4,100) – Chicago
  • Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods / Environmental Justice Coloring Book for Lake County ($4,000) – Riverwoods
  • DeKalb County History Center / Arts in Action ($8,100) – Sycamore

LEARN MORE about our Community Grants Program

About Illinois Humanities

Illinois Humanities, the Illinois affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that foster reflection, spark conversation, build community and strengthen civic engagement. We provide free, high-quality humanities experiences throughout Illinois, particularly for communities of color, individuals living on low incomes, counties and towns in rural areas, small arts and cultural organizations, and communities highly impacted by mass incarceration. Founded in 1974, Illinois Humanities is supported by state, federal, and private funds.

Learn more at ilhumanities.org and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn @ILHumanities.