2015 annual report - rhode island council for the humanities

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

The Rhode Island Council for the Humanities SEEDS,

SUPPORTS, and STRENGTHENS public history, cultural heritage,

civic education, and community engagement by and for all Rhode Islanders.

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Thank you for celebrating and strengthening Rhode Island’s humanities community in 2015! With your support, the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities joined forces with valued partners to bring together resources, to innovate, and to scale initiatives for greater impact throughout the state. This report features our expanding humanities network, highlighting the accomplishments of our partnerships throughout the past year.

Working together, our humanities community has sparked new connections, inspired innovative ideas, and created meaningful experiences to enrich the culture, creativity, and civic life of our state. You contributed to these efforts—by joining us at the Celebration of the Humanities, donating your time and resources, executing a Council grant, participating in a collaborative humanities project, attending a Center for the Book program, or connecting with RI Humanities online. Through grantmaking, collaborations, and partnerships, we have reached more people, developed new relationships, and supported the valuable role of the humanities for cultural, civic, and economic progress.

In 2015, we also marked the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Humanities, an exciting opportunity to celebrate our state’s unique history of promoting the humanities in public life. Honoring Rhode Island’s late Senator Claiborne Pell—who sponsored legislation that led to the founding of the National Endowment for the Humanities—the Council partnered with the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University and the University of Rhode Island Libraries to create the Pell Humanities Initiative. A network of imaginative and compelling public humanities programs at colleges, universities, and cultural and historical institutions across the state, the Initiative showcases the vital contributions of the humanities in our society today.

We are proud to strengthen Rhode Island’s robust humanities network in strategic and creative ways. Thank you for supporting the future of the Council and the humanities statewide.

With gratitude,

Elizabeth Francis

PELL HUMANITIES INITIATIVEPartners: Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University, University of Rhode Island Libraries

2015 HIGHLIGHTS

THE PELL HUMANITIES INITIATIVE celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Humanities and honors the legacy of Rhode Island’s late Senator Claiborne Pell. Rhode Island’s higher education institutions and cultural organi-zations are showcasing public humanities events throughout the 2015-2016 anniversary year.

At a celebration in August, current-NEH Chairman Dr. William Adams highlighted how the Initiative: SHOWCASES Rhode Island’s proud history of promoting the humanities in public life and unique connection to the founding of the National Endowment for the Humanities. AMPLIFIES the robust network of humanities programming in Rhode Island. FEATURES the vital role of the humanities in civic life, engaging and addressing the current challenges that we face as a state and as a nation.

“It is an honor to be in Rhode Island to celebrate the 50th

anniversary of the National Endowment for the Humanities

and the legacy of Senator Claiborne Pell, who had the foresight to recog-

nize the need for public investment in the humanities. As Senator Pell knew,

the humanities contribute richness, beauty, and wisdom to our lives.”

NEH Chairman William Adams

2015 HIGHLIGHTS

CATALYZING NEWPORTSteering Committee: International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport Art Museum, Newport Restoration Foundation, Preservation Society of Newport County, Redwood Library & Athenaeum, Rhode Island Historical Society, Salve Regina University

CATALYZING NEWPORT is a collaborative initiative convening organizations and citizens to create a new vision for a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous city. Based on the core belief that history matters for Newport now, Catalyzing Newport’s network of leaders are developing innovative and substantive ways to engage with the city’s storied places and ideas in order to achieve significant out-comes. In its second year, Catalyzing Newport:

PRESENTED four catalyst residencies by national thought leaders in the areas of: Placemaking (Carol Coletta & Daniel Harris, Knight Foundation); Cultural Policy & Research (Paul Light, New York University); Systems Leadership (Peter Senge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology); and Digital Humanities (Tom Scheinfeldt, University of Connecticut) MOBILIZED cross-sector, local action teams of government officials, policymakers, and cultural and community leaders to address Newport’s cultural and economic challenges and opportunities. ACTIVATED collaborative leadership practices to advance cultural and civic leadership in the state.

“The chronicled history is almost less important than what will

happen. People do not realize how important this group is to the

future of Newport because no one else is going to do it. We are writing

history today.” Terry Dickinson, Chief of Staff, Preservation

Society of Newport County

KIDS READING ACROSS RHODE ISLANDPartners: Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services, Rhode Island PBS, Big Nazo Lab

2015 HIGHLIGHTS

KIDS READING ACROSS RHODE ISLAND is a program of the Center for the Book in partnership with the Rhode Island Office of Library and Informa-tion Services. The program works to transition students in grades 3-6 from their classrooms and school librar-ies to their community libraries by offering programs and resources focused on one special book each year. In its 6th year, with selected book Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo, the program:

CONNECTED DiCamillo, 2014 Newbery Award Winner, New York Times bestselling author, and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, with over 600 children and families at the Rhode Island State House.

DISTRIBUTED over 1,750 copies of Flora and Ulysses to 22 libraries, 33 classrooms, and over 600 children and their families through support from TD Charitable Foundation.

BROADENED outreach to underserved communities by introducing free library programming featuring Big Nazo Lab.

PILOTED The Author’s Studio television program, an interview with DiCamillo before a live audience at Rhode Island PBS.

“The multi-sensory exploration of each book provided by Kids

Reading Across Rhode Island programming allows children

to engage with the theme with their entire selves, increasing their

understanding and creating a vibrant statewide community of readers.”

Cheryl Space, Youth Services Coordinator, Providence Community Library

CENTER FOR THE BOOK

CATALYZING NEWPORT

PELL HUMANITIES INITIATIVE

GRANT PROJECT

Over 90 humanities projects, programs, and special events took place across the state through the Council’s grantmaking, collaborations, and partnerships.

PUBLIC PROJECT GRANTSSupporting public humanities projects that enrich and

enliven the life of our state through a variety of formats

including: community conversations, talks and lectures,

new media technology, museum interpretations and

exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions, book or film

discussions, oral histories, and radio shows.

AS220, $2,000 to Unpacking Authentic Placemaking

FIRSTWORKS, $13,000 to Art Activating Community:

Urban Bush Women in Rhode Island

FREQUENCY WRITERS, $1,920 to A New Spelling

of My Name and Invisible Cities: A Four-Week

Creative Writing Workshop for Teens

FRIENDS OF HEARTHSIDE, INC. $2,000 to World’s

Fair 1904: Rhode Island Stories from History’s

Greatest Exhibition

INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY AND PRACTICE OF NONVIOLENCE, $2,000 to The Prison

Op/Ed Project

LITTLE COMPTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY $10,000 to The Stories Houses Tell

MANTON AVENUE PROJECT, $2,000 to

The Manton Avenue Project–TAG Team Project–

Entrepreneurship Plays

MANTON AVENUE PROJECT, $2,000 to

Narragansett Bay Play Festival, our Play-It-Again

Program for Fourth Graders

NORTH KINGSTOWN FREE LIBRARY, $2,000

to North Kingstown Free Library–A History

and Celebration.

OPERA PROVIDENCE, $8,245 to Stages of Freedom:

Black Performing Arts in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE ATHENAEUM, $12,410 to Open

Sesame: Collaboration in the Athenaeum’s Collections

PROVIDENCE CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL $12,000 to PCFF Online Film Directory

PROVIDENCE PRESERVATION SOCIETY $6,470 to Endangered Places, Emerging Stories

RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE, $1,700 to

Wordsmith/Metalsmith

RHODE ISLAND COMPUTER MUSEUM

$2,000 to The Story of Global Communications

RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, $2,000

to Combatting Injustice: A Public Dialogue and

Online Archive

RI LATINO ARTS, $6,900 to Nuestras Raîces:

Foto Historias

RIVERZEDGE ARTS, $10,000 to Stories of Access/

Stories of Denial: Civil Rights to Civic Engagement

in Northern RI

ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY, $2,000 to

Bristol: Past and Present

SANDRA FEINSTEIN-GAMM THEATRE, $2,000 to

Pawtucket Humanities Forums: “Why Did You Shoot

Me?” Standing Your Ground in Today’s America

UPP ARTS, $2,000 to Exploring Indigenous Culture

Around Mashapaug Pond

WATERFIRE PROVIDENCE, $5,500 to We Did Start

the Fire: The Burning of the Gaspee & RI’s Role in

Sparking the American Revolution

WESTERLY LIBRARY AND WILCOX PARK, $2,000

to Out of the Corner: Bringing Westerly Library’s

Special Collections to Rhode Island and the World

WILBURY THEATRE GROUP, $500 to The Wilbury

Group’s Chat and Chew

2015 GRANT PROFILES

GRANT HIGHLIGHTS

PUBLIC PROJECT GRANTS

PROVIDENCE PRESERVATION SOCIETY$6,470 to Endangered Places, Emerging Stories

This series of tours explored the history and demographic shifts of four of Providence’s neighborhoods and the various relationships between preservation, social equality, and sense of place. The grant project concluded with an interdisciplinary symposium at King’s Cathedral in Olneyville where over 100 community members, students, professional preservationists, and history buffs examined the significance of history, preservation, urban development, and the environment. The Symposium brought together local and national experts on preservation and urban expansion to discuss both grand and local challenges that face all communities in the US.

DOCUMENTARY FILM GRANTS

DOCUMENTARY EDUCATION RESOURCES $13,000 to Councilwoman

A documentary film about civic participation and democracy, Councilwoman by Margo Guernsey focuses on Carmen Castillo, a Dominican hotel housekeeper and mother who sits on the Providence City Council. The film, which received Council support for three phases including research, development, and production, follows Castillo as she learns the ins and outs of political office and launches a bid for reelection. Councilwoman documents the political engagement of a single individual but stands as a testament to the participation and success of Latino community members in local and state politics as well.

K-12 CIVIC EDUCATION GRANTS

LIVING HISTORY, $9,273 to Iron Man

MET School students participated in hands-on learning about the technical, economic, and cultural impact of 18th-century iron making at the Nathanael Greene Homestead in Coventry. Tackling an archaeological dig and designing interpretive signs for the site, students assisted the Homestead to further understand the significance and size of the iron works that had been concealed by 200 years of natural growth. By engaging in hands-on interdisciplinary education, students realized the impact of colonial history on both the physical and social landscape of Rhode Island.

INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH GRANTS

MARY BETH MEEHAN, $2,000 to Providence

Portraits: A Public Installation and Conversation

This portrait series highlights the varied back-grounds, identities, and “faces” of the citizens of Providence. The large-scale murals were installed throughout downtown Providence as a part of Providence’s 2015 International Arts Festival, demonstrating the diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and communities that work together to make the Creative Capital a unique and vibrant place to live. An accompanying community dialogue brought together community members featured in the portraits and explored the role of Washington Street as the city’s “Cultural Corridor.” PICTURED ON RIGHT

$172,827 was awarded to 37 grant projects in support of public history, cultural heritage, civic education, and community engagement across the state.

DOCUMENTARY FILM GRANTSSupporting documentary films that preserve

Rhode Island’s stories and bring its history to life.

DOCUMENTARY EDUCATION RESOURCES

$13,000 to Councilwoman

GENEVIEVE BELCHER $1,896 to The Role

of Kent County in the Industrial Revolution

JEFFREY MATTEIS $1,960 to The Rhode Island

Hip Hop Project

K-12 CIVIC EDUCATION GRANTSSupporting projects that enhance the humanities compo-

nents of K–12 education through the creative integration

of the Rhode Island Social Studies Grade Span Expecta-

tions in teaching and learning, in order to cultivate the

civic leaders of future generations.

DAVISVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL, $1,000 to

Snuff, The Triangular Trade Route, and the

Gilbert Stuart Connection

FUSIONWORKS, $10,000 to The Rhode Island

Immigrant Story—Historical and Personal Journeys

of Rhode Island Families

HISTORIC NEW ENGLAND, $8,500 to Education

Programs at Arnold House

LIVING HISTORY, $9,273 to Iron Man

RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, $4,658

to Rhode Island History Digital Textbook

WESTERN RHODE ISLAND CIVIC HISTORICAL SOCIETY, $2,000 to Rhode Island Model

Legislature 2.0 (2015)

INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH GRANTS Supporting original research that uncovers Rhode

Island’s untold stories and sheds new light on

established stories.

CHRIS WITT, $1,920 to Literary Providence

DANIEL SNYDACKER, $2,000 to The Quiet Genius

of Design: The Architecture of Robert H. Robertson

in Rhode Island

LUCY BOLTZ, $1,975 to Feeling at Home: West

Elmwood Before and Since Displacement

MARY BETH MEEHAN, $2,000 to Providence

Portraits: A Public Installation and Conversation PICTURED BELOW

PELL CIRCLE GIFTS OF $2,500 and up

THE PELL CIRCLE is a new giving circle of the Council’s philanthropic leaders. It honors the legacy of US Senator Claiborne Pell, one of the primary sponsors of the National Foun-dation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965, which created the NEH. Pell Circle donors raise the level of the Council’s ability to address the challenges Rhode Island faces and catalyze the state’s remarkable history and culture. We are grateful to these founding members for launch-ing this new humanities philanthropy circle.

Joan & Richard Abrams

Elizabeth Delude-Dix

Polly Hutcheson & George Rice

Kate & Howard Kilguss

Sarah B. Richardson & Craig Richardson

William & Alison Vareika

The White Family

"The humanities are what we are. They are all of our stories, our collective imagination, our memories, our creativity, our concrete projects for a better society. And we can’t afford not to support the humanities because we can’t afford to not be the best versions of ourselves. It’s that simple."

—Dr. Touba Ghadessi, Council board member

We are grateful for the generous

support of our donors, funders,

and sponsors. You make

this work possible.

GIFTS OF $1,000 and up PELL CIRCLE DONORS ‡ RICFB MEMBERS +

INDIVIDUALSNancy Abeshaus +

Angela Abosamra+

Joan & Richard Abrams‡

Candy Adriance

Linda Maia Afonso+

Peter & Susan Allen

Melody Allen+

Mary Almeida+

Nancy Anderson

Pauline & Harry Anderson+

Roberta Andreozzi in honor

of Joan Abrams

Anonymous

Dawn Appleby+

Margaret Asselin+

Evelyn Bain+

Diane Ballou

Martha Baril+

Irene Barrow

Judith Barrowclough+

Suzanne Bartlett+

Alfred Basile

Deanna Beachen+

Phoebe Bean

Jane Beaton+

Henry & Alice HRH

Beckwith, phd+

Christine Bell+

Nancy W. Bennett

Dorothy Bergeron+

Judith Bertozzi

Christina Bevilacqua

Joseph & Mary Ann Bevilacqua

Helen Biancani+

Margaret Bierden+

Ms. Christy Law Blanchard

& Mr. Kevin Blanchard+

Lois Blazer+

Marcia Bliss+

Roger Blumberg &

Cristina Mitchell+

Vincent Bohlinger &

Todd Borgerding

Denise Boule+

Patricia Gail Brady+

Linda Brennan+

Patricia Brinegar+

Jim Brosnan+

Elizabeth Brown+

Winifred Brownell, phd

Kathleen Brueckner+

Thomas & Antonia Bryson

Charlotte Burnham+

Julia Bush+

Ronald Caniglia

Nancy Carignan in honor

of Marjory O’Toole

Nancy Carriuolo in honor

of Carolyn Rafaelian

Marion Castellucci+

Betty M. Challgren+

Tom Chandler & Lisa Smolski in

memory of Theresa Smolski

Carolyn Chirnside+

Marie D. Chmielewski+

Shawn Anthony Christian, phd

Kathleen Church+

Kate & Arthur Chute

Sharon Collier

Frances Conklin+

Suzanne Conklin+

Harold J. Cook

Stephen & Melanie Coon

Bethany Costello+

Mary L. Coyle+

Nancy Cyr-Larson+

Karen Daigle+

Lewis & Betty Dana

Denise Dangremond

Carol DeBoer-Langworthy

Daniel G. DeCelles

Elizabeth Delude-Dix ‡

Jane A. Desforges

Muriel Dickinson+

Susan Dillon+

Denise DiMarzio+

Donna Longo DiMichele+

Diane M. Disney

Ann Doherty+

Lauren K. Drury & Todd Drury

Pamela Dumas+

Jean Edwards in memory

of Knight Edwards

John Eng-Wong &

Priscilla Angelo+

Sandra Enos phd+

Tony Estrella

Barnaby Evans & Irene Lawrence

Holly Ewald

Mary-Beth Fafard

Barbara H. Findley+

FY15 SUPPORTERS

FUNDING SOURCES

WITH YOUR SUPPORT, we are developing the Council’s resources, bringing together nation-al and local funding as well as public and private sources. The graph below shows how we are building on operating support from the National Endowment for the Humanities in concert with individual giving, organizational sponsorships, and foundation grants. Together, this support is the springboard for the community-building, state-wide partnerships, and cultivation of the next generation that is advancing the humanities and the vitality of civic life in Rhode Island.

FY16 BUDGET

FY15 ACTUAL

FY14 ACTUAL

$300,000 $600,000 $900,000 $1,200,000$0

NEH Other Grants & Gifts

NEH GRANTS & GIFTS (% of total) TOTAL

FY16 BUDGET $596,700 $440,900 (42.49%) $1,037,600

FY15 ACTUAL $600,400 $352,553 (37.00%) $952,953

FY14 ACTUAL $602,700 $280,490 (31.76%) $883,190

Rhoda & Allen Flaxman

Virginia F. Fletcher in honor

of Tom Roberts

Debora Foley+

Patti Folsom+

Lynda Fosco+

Elizabeth Francis

Touba Ghadessi & John Richard

Gayle L. Gifford & Jonathan

W. Howard

Risa Gilpin

Joan Glazer+

Julie Lombardi Goulet+

Lenore Gray in memory

of Ira Rakatansky

Karen Gray+

Mayor Donald R. Grebien,

City of Pawtucket

Elsa S. Grieder+

Wendy Grossman

Larson Gunness & Liana Cassar

Mattie Gustafson+

Rabbi Leslie Yale Gutterman

Dr. Joseph H. Hagan

Nancy Haley+

Ellen Hallett

John Harkey+

Bill Harley & Debbie Block

Amy Harmon+

Dr. Daniel Harrop III

Elaine Hazzard+

Tony Herrara

Arlene Hicks+

Jeannine Hicks+

Helga Hoffman+

Paula Hooper+

Kathleen Hughes+

Polly Hutcheson & George Rice ‡

P. William Hutchinson

Paul Phillips & Kathryne

Jennings

Galen & Jean Johnson

V. Rolf Johnson+

Carole Jolie+

Justine Karmozyn+

Ellen A. Kellner in memory

of George H. Kellner

Maureen Kelsey+

Kate & Howard Kilguss‡

Albert & Beverly Klyberg

Judith & Jonathan Knight

Jessica L. Kowal

Steven Krasner+

Paula Krebs & Claire Buck

Paul & Mary Ellen Kroll

Faxine Lafond+

James & Patricia Lamarre+

Jane Lancaster phd

Donna Lancaster+

Maureen Lancellotta+

Nola LaSalle+

Wendy Lawton in honor

of Elizabeth Francis

Francis J. Leazes Jr. phd

Mary Lebeau+

Jenna Legault

Kate Lentz

Barbara Levine

Robyn Levine+

Bonnie Lilienthal+

Judy Barrett Litoff, phd

Hannah & John Lombardo+

Kathleen Lombardo+

Katherine Long

Marilyn Longo+

Steve Lubar & Lisa Theorle

David & Sharon Lux+

Marilyn J. Malina

Lynne Malone

Roger Mandle

Faye Maris+

Carolyn Mark+

Jean Martin+

Marilyn Mattera+

Joyce B. May+

David & Cheryl McCarthy+

Peter McClure

Maureen McDonald in honor

of Joan Abrams

Paulette McLaren+

Philip & Elizabeth McMaster

Dave & Elizabeth McNab

in memory of William Metz

Richard & Patricia Menoche+

Lynne Miller+

Dr. & Mrs. Gerald Monchik

Timothy & Rebecca More

Adrienne Morris & Stewart

Martin in honor of Elizabeth

Francis

Douglass & Elizabeth Morse

Louise B. Moulton+

Morris & Phyllis Nathanson

John Nazarian

Patricia Nickles+

John & Patricia Nolan

Kim Nusco+

Robin Nyzio+

Edna O’Connell+

Gregg Oehler & Susan Pitt+

Byrant & Barbara Ogden+

Anne Oldmixon+

Ken Orenstein+

Susan Ozbek+

Richard S. Palmer

Thomas Palmer &

Dominique Alfandre

John J. Partridge+

Jean & Mark Patiky in honor

of Elizabeth Francis, in

memory of Eleanor Kornbleuh

James T. Patterson

RHODE ISLAND CENTER FOR THE BOOK

THE RHODE ISLAND CENTER FOR THE BOOK at the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities is devoted to promoting personal and community enrichment by celebrating the art and heritage of reading, writing, making, and sharing books. Together, the Center and the Council help build community and connections throughout Rhode Island. In 2015, Reading Across Rhode Island (RARI) brought author and international policy practitioner Derek Miller to explore the importance of the humanities for international affairs and civic life. Miller connected students, teachers, librarians, community leaders, and book lovers who read and discussed his book, Norwegian by Night.

READING ACROSS RHODE ISLAND The 2015 Selection was Norwegian by Night by Derek Miller, novelist and international affairs specialist.

Over 2,000 Rhode Islanders participated in RARI’s community read programming, including intergenerational book discussions, thematic workshops, reader’s theatre performances, and keynote lectures with the author.

550 Copies of Norwegian by Night were delivered to 25 libraries, classrooms, and senior centers across the state, along with 300 resource guides aligned to common core standards to support thoughtful engagement with the book.

LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE713 Rhode Island students in grades 4-12 participated in this national reading and writing contest.

Rhode Island winners were announced at an awards ceremony at the William Hall Library in Cranston.

LITERARY LANDMARKRhode Island’s first Literary Landmark was dedicated in honor of Margaret Wise Brown, author of Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny among many other children’s classics, at Westerly Public Library, which houses a collection of Brown’s papers.

Susan Peckham+

Ken & Ann Peloquin+

Robert & Marie Petrarca

Mark Pompelia+

Nancy Potter

Barry Press & Anne Scurria+

Claire Price in honor of

Robert Tessier

Judith Queen

Kurt A. Raaflaub

Maureen Reddy

Angela & Raymond Renaud

Joan Reuter+

Katherine D. Richardson

Sarah B. Richardson &

Craig Richardson‡

Denise Richtarik+

David T. Riedel

Marian Rieth+

Rebecca Riley

Timothy M. Rivinus

Tom & Elizabeth Roberts

Sue Roebuck+

Karen T. Romer

Ruthy Kohorn Rosenberg

Rita Rosenbloom+

Fred & Marcia Rosenzweig

Fred & Sally Rotenberg

Sherry Rupp

Mary Ryder+

Patricia A. Saccoccio+

Faber Salazar+

Carolyn Salk+

Elizabeth J. Sceppa+

Katharine Schelleng+

Mary L. Schwartz

Marie Jenkins Schwartz+

Rich Schweinsburg

Audrey Shapiro+

Henry & Peggy Sharpe

Deming & Jane Sherman

Paul & Renée Shield

Allan & Els Shine

Edna Shire+

Carol Shunney+

Rebecca A. Silliman

John Simmonds

Gretchen Dow Simpson

& James Baird

Carole Skeffington+

Mary Ann Slocomb+

Sylvia Ann Soares

Mary K. Staples

Sue Stenhouse

Jonathan Stevens

Ruth Strach+

Brooke Strachan

Angela Stupinski+

Marjorie Lee Sundlun

Muriel Sweeney+

Judith Swift in honor of

Estes Benson

Kisa Jo Takesue & Glenn E. Turner

Carol Terry & Jim Janecek

Jeanne Thomason+

Carol Thomson+

Dianne Thyret+

M.J. Tiernan-Reilly in memory

of Ann Waring

Adrian Moore Trask

Jeanne Tsakeres+

Jessica Unger

Daniel W. Varin

William & Alison Vareika‡

Susan Viveiros+

Mary Walsh+

Kaitlynne Ward

Lynn Watterson+

Sarah Weed+

George Wein

Naida D. Weisberg

Vivian Weisman+

Robin Wetherill

Fox Wetle

Mrs. Ruth B. Whipple

The White Family‡

Dianne Whitehead+

Ed & Linda Wood

Patricia A. Woods

Connie Worthington

& Terry Tullis

Josephine & Harrison M. Wright

Kristen Wright+

Peter & Patricia Young+

Kyle & Kristina Zambarano

ORGANIZATIONS2nd Story Theatre

Accounting Management

Solutions

Ada Books

Adler Pollock & Sheehan PC

Admiral Dewey Inn

Akashic Books

Artists’ Exchange

AS220 Industries

Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Avon Cinema

Barrington Books

Barton Gilman, LLP

Beautiful Day

Big Nazo Lab

Blackstone Valley Tourism

Council

Broadway Bistro

Brown University

John Nicholas Brown Center

for Public Humanities &

Cultural Heritage

Cogut Center for the

Humanities

NEH CHAIRMANVISITS RHODE ISLAND

U.S. SENATOR JACK REED AND THE HUMANITIES COUNCIL welcomed Dr. William Adams, the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, to Rhode Island in April for a visit that highlighted the impact of the NEH's funding throughout the state and showcased Rhode Island’s innovative human-ities community. The Chairman’s visit included an interview with Rhode Island Public Radio’s Scott McKay, discussing Rhode Island’s unique connection to the founding of the NEH, as well as a panel discussion on the humanities and the experience of war in which both the Chairman and the Senator participated.

Chairman Adams and Senator Reed also joined staff and board members from the Humanities Council to announce the Council’s 2015 major grant awards at a public event held at the Prov-idence Public Library. The Council announced nearly $130,000 in new awards to fourteen organizations in support of humanities projects throughout Rhode Island.

“Funding from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities leverages other funding, acts as a stamp of approval and encourages the economic vitality that our Festival brings to local restaurants, cafes, shops, hotels and other businesses.”—Anisa Raoof, Providence Children’s Film Festival

“This is the story of Rhode Island’s cultural institutions right now—recognizing the value of our history and engaging communities in bold and innovative ways. The Humanities Council seeds, supports, and strengthens these efforts. Each grant expresses the creativity and innovation of public humanities in Rhode Island, and contributes to vitality and progress in our neighborhoods, schools, and cultural sites.” —Elizabeth Francis, Rhode Island Council for the Humanities Executive Director

Bryant University

Cable Car Cinema

Campus Fine Wines

Daniele Inc.

Dave’s Marketplace

Dean Hotel

Dream Authority Music

Everett: Company Stage School

Festival Ballet Providence

Fidelity Investments

Fire Works Catering

Flatbread Providence, Inc.

Frequency Providence

Glee Gum

Goat Hill Writers

Gracie’s

Grimshaw-Gudewicz Charitable

Foundation

Hemenway’s Restaurant

Humble Pie Company

International Tennis Hall

of Fame

Jamestown Art Center

Johnson & Wales University

Jolly Roger Deli

Linden Place Museum

Lippitt House

Little Compton Historical Society

Local 121

Matthew Ferrara Photography

Matunuck Oyster Bar

McLaughlin & Moran, Inc.

Muse Education Group

Museum of Natural History

& Planetarium

New Urban Arts

Newport Restoration Foundation

Newport Storm Brewery

North Providence Library+

Ocean State Theatre Company

Omni Providence Hotel

Pastiche Fine Desserts

Pell Center at Salve Regina

University

Performing Arts Series at

Rhode Island College

Preservation Society of

Newport County

Preserve Rhode Island

ProMail Etc.

Providence Athenaeum

Providence Bruins

Providence Children’s Museum

Providence College

Renaissance Providence

Downtown Hotel

Rhode Island Office of Library

and Information Services

Members of the Board & Staff

RI Philharmonic Orchestra

& Music School

Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island State Council on

the Arts

RI Festival of Children’s Books

& Authors

RISD Museum

RiverzEdge Arts

RGB Architects

Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre

South County Tourism Council

Stadium Theatre Performing

Arts Centre

TD Bank

Theatre by the Sea

Trinity Repertory Company

UMass Dartmouth

University of Rhode Island

Coastal Institute at University

of Rhode Island

Office of the President,



College of Arts & Sciences


Center for the Humanities


Libraries

University of Rhode

Island Graduate School of

Oceanography


Division of Research &

Economic Development

Wheaton College

Wheaton Institute for the

Interdisciplinary Humanities

Wilbury Theatre Group

YMCA of Greater Providence

The Council gratefully

acknowledges the major

support of:

American Library Association

Library of Congress

National Endowment

for the Humanities

Rhode Island Foundation

TD Charitable Foundation

van Beuren Charitable Foundation

2015 CELEBRATION OF THE HUMANITIESThe Celebration's theme, Connect, captured the power of the humanities to create meaningful connections across disciplines, communities, and arenas for action. The 2015 honorees demonstrate how the humanities inspire creativity, bridge academic and public life, foster community, and help us address in meaningful and thoughtful ways the key challenges we face as a society today.

ROGER MANDLE Art Historian, Curator, Educator, and former President of the Rhode Island School of Design; Honorary Chairs’ Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Humanities

CONSUELO SHERBA Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Aurea; Tom Roberts Prize for Creative Achievement in the Humanities

RHODE ISLAND’S SHELLFISH: AN ECOLOGICAL HISTORY—UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND Innovation in the Humanities Award

MATTHEW LAWRENCE Writer, Editor, Curator, and Founder of Not About the Buildings; Public Humanities Scholar Award

Join us in deepening and broadening access to history, culture, scholarship, and education to enrich and improve the lives of all Rhode Islanders.

PARTICIPATEAttend a humanities event near you or apply for a grant to support your next public humanities project.

CELEBRATEJoin us for the annual Celebration of the Humanities in October to mark National Arts & Humanities Month.

ADVOCATEShow your support for the humanities by telling policy makers the humanities matter. Write a letter, sign a petition, or share your story.

DONATEGive a gift to strengthen cultural, historical, and civic engagement throughout the state.

Visit rihumanities.org to learn more and join our mailing list.

facebook.com/ rihumanities

@rihumanities

STAY CONNECTED

2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORSJoan Abrams, Chair

Polly Hutcheson, Vice Chair

Shawn Christian, PhD, Secretary

Gina McDonald, Treasurer

Phoebe Bean, mls

Winnie Brownell, phd

Sharon Collier

Daniel DeCelles

Lauren K. Drury, Esq.

Sandra Enos, phd

Rhoda Flaxman, phd

Touba Ghadessi, phd

Bill Harley

Mary Lee Partington

Jean Patiky

Angela Renaud, edd

John Simmonds

Sue Stenhouse

William Vareika

Kyle Zambarano, Esq.

HONORARY CHAIRSSenator Jack Reed

Senator Sheldon

Whitehouse

2015 STAFFElizabeth Francis, phd Executive Director

SueEllen Kroll Director of Grants & Strategic Partnerships

Carole Ann Penney Director of Operations

Kate Lentz Director, Rhode Island Center for the Book

Adrian Moore Trask Development & Communications Manager

Logan Hinderliter

Program Coordinator

IMAGES & PHOTO CREDITS

Our thanks to Matthew Ferrara Photography, Kim Fuller, and all of our grantees and partners who have contributed

photographs.

2015 Annual Report

publication design by

design-agency.org

131 Washington St, Suite 210Providence, RI 02903

rihumanities.org401–273–2250

2015 annual report - rhode island council for the humanities

Documents