During the most recent cycle, Arizona Humanities awarded $9,250 in Mini Grants to support six humanities projects.
Dr. Nicole Blalock, Arizona Humanities Grants Manager remarked, “Arizona Humanities is thrilled at the breadth and diversity of projects this cycle and we congratulate all the award recipients. From examining faith, to civil discourse to celebrating Indigenous music, these programs are an opportunity for Arizona communities to discuss important historic and contemporary issues.”
Read below for more information about each awarded Mini Grant. Organizations can receive up to $2,000 for a humanities project. Mini Grants are awarded four times a year and the remaining deadlines for 2016 are: July 15 and October 15. Organizations interested in learning more about grant opportunities can visit the Arizona Humanities website at azhumanities.org or call 602-257-0335.
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Arizona Interfaith Movement – Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Interfaith Movement Flagstaff
Total Mini Grant Award: $2,000
Project Director: Rev. Larry Fultz / 602-261-6704
For several years the Arizona Interfaith Movement hosted biannual Faith Forums in the Phoenix area and is now looking to expand. These events provide dialogue and opportunity for understanding the different beliefs of various members of the religious community and demonstrate that people of faith can discuss hotly debated topics with respect and dignity for one another. This grant will allow the Arizona Interfaith Movement to host three Faith Forums from 2016-2017 in Flagstaff, furthering their goal to build understanding, respect and support for one another in the faith community throughout Arizona.
Arizona Press Women Inc. dba Arizona Professional Writers – Payson, AZ
Payson Book Festival 2016
Total Mini Grant Award: $750.00
Project Director: Carol Osman Brown / 928-468-9269
The second annual Payson Book Festival seeks to promote literacy and showcase Arizona authors. The festival includes 70 local authors, a Young Writer’s Workshop and story time sessions. A portion of proceeds benefit scholarship funds and children will have the opportunity to take home free books. In all Arizona Professional Writers seeks to foster a love of reading by providing a friendly environment to foster personal interaction between authors and readers.
Friends of Canoa Heritage Foundation – Tucson, AZ
“The History of Life on Baca Float Ranch (1929-1968)”
Total Mini Grant Award: $2,000
Project Director: Dawn Morley / 520-882-2100
The partnership with the Rio Rico Historical Society and Friends of Canoa Heritage Foundation brings the neighbors of today together to explore how the neighbors of yesterday lived, worked, and engaged socially. This event includes a showing of “The Bottom of the Bottle”, a 1956 Fox Movie production that shares a visiting author’s perception of the people who lived on Baca Float Ranch, and their social lifestyle. Pre and post movie discussion on ranching life in the old Arizona Territory will engage the audience to explore the history of the Southern Arizona’s ranching lifestyle has evolved, and what still remains today.
The Institute for Civil Dialogue – Carefree, AZ
Civility in Action 2016
Total Mini Grant Award: $2,000
Project Director: John Genette / 480-595-9292
Since its inception, the Institute for Civil Dialogue has presented dozens of public dialogues focusing on important topics such as immigration, education, and states’ rights. Using a custom format, Civil Dialogue, guides citizens through structured dialogues on controversial issues that affect us all but are often not discussed in public. Civil Dialogue is not a panel of experts in front of a passive audience; it is active citizen engagement open to all. Civility in Action 2016 will make Civil Dialogue available to communities throughout Arizona and events will coincide with presidential debates with topics drawn from debate transcripts and breaking news.
Borderlands Theater – Tucson, AZ
Sonoran Shadows
Total Mini Grant Award: $2,000
Project Director: Marc Pinate / 520-882-8607
Borderlands Theater invites the community of Barrio Viejo, and greater Tucson, to learn about and celebrate our unique Tucsonense heritage through Shadow Puppetry, food sharing, and expert lectures. This summer Borderlands Theater will create a shadow theater performance based on stories contained in Patricia Preciado Martin’s award winning book, “El Milagro and Other Stories.” Martin’s stories spill over with references to the foods, sights, smells, and perspectives of the Tucsonense way of life. The project culminates in two days of public programs with performances held at Tucson public parks and a tortilla making workshop.
Culture of Peace Alliance – Tucson, AZ
The Power of Women to Create Peace in Islam, Judaism, & Sikhi
Total Mini Grant Award: $500
Project Director: Dr Ann Yellott / 520-991-6781
Community Conversations is currently in its eleventh year as a locally-based, peace-building program that utilizes a civil discourse model to bring together people from diverse faith and cultural traditions with the intention of increasing knowledge, trust, and respect. For “The Power of Women to Create Peace in Islam, Judaism, & Sikhi” three strong women, each representing one of these faith traditions will examine the role of women, historically and in current times, as peace-builders. They will address several challenging questions such as: How do women in societies with a strong patriarchal history inform and even lead peace building efforts or can understanding the ongoing roles of women in building peace in three select faith traditions disrupt public stereotypes. The general format for the conversations consists of opening remarks provided by the speakers, followed by a dialogue circle process where all participants can share their thoughts and perspectives.
