We are thrilled to announce that the Democracy Project won a Schwartz Prize at the National Humanities Conference in Providence, RI!
At the National Humanities Conference on Friday, November 15, the Federation of State Humanities Councils (Federation) presented the 2024 Schwartz Prize for outstanding work in the public humanities to The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities for the Institute for Louisiana Culture and History, Humanities Montana for The Democracy Project, and Wisconsin Humanities for Community Powered.
“These award-winning projects reflect the power of the public humanities and the deep community engagement at the core of humanities council work,” said Phoebe Stein, President of the Federation of State Humanities Councils. “Each project, in its own unique way, furthers education, access, and community health at the local level in ways that can inspire us nationally, even globally. My sincere congratulations to all.”
Humanities Montana staff, alongside incoming board chair Beth Sullivan and participating librarians Alia Hanson (teacher librarian at Columbia Falls High School) and Lori Smoker (former library director at the James E Shanley Tribal Library at Fort Peck Community College) accepted the award.
The Montana Center for the Book Launches a New Annual Cycle of Big Sky Reads Grants for Rural Book Clubs
The Montana Center for the Book, a program of Humanities Montana and the Library of Congress affiliate in Montana, launched a new annual cycle of $500 Big Sky Reads grants to support book clubs in rural communities across the state. Humanities Montana’s Big Sky Reads stipends support book clubs in rural communities across the state. The Montana Center for the Book supports programs in rural communities that engage in thought-provoking discussions about literature and promote awareness of books, writing, reading, the book arts, publishing, and literacy in Montana.
Congratulations to the Blaine County Museum and the Blaine County Library on receiving an award for their recent and successful collaborative book club!
The $500 stipend is available once per year for eligible organizations, as long as funds are available. The stipend may be used for costs like trained discussion leaders, book kits, author visits in person or virtual, advertising expenses, and other costs that enhance the humanities content. It cannot be used for refreshments, staff costs, or venue rental. Big Sky Reads is also a Facebook group! This is a great resource to find new books, new participants, discussion questions, and facilitators. If your book club qualifies, you can apply for this $500 stipend any time.
Welcome Bridger Lutz and his program “Bigfoot in the Big Sky” to Montana Conversations!
Welcome Bridger Lutz and his program, “Bigfoot in the Big Sky”, to the Montana Conversations speaker’s bureau! Join Lutz as he pieces together the story of Bigfoot in Montana, starting with the fundamental question: what is Bigfoot? Attendees will be invited to engage in a thoughtful examination of the evidence, including photographs, stories, audio recordings, and even scientific approaches, to unravel the truth behind the legend of the Sasquatch. Lutz is the Director of Education and Programming at the C.M. Russell Museum and has seven years of teaching experience, including three years as a theatre teacher at Great Falls High School. He has a deep commitment to public scholarship and facilitating meaningful conversations. Lutz’s teaching background has given him hands-on experience in designing programs that engage and inspire diverse groups of learners.
