Oklahoma Humanities (OH) is pleased to announce that Caroline E. Lowery will be its next Executive Director beginning on September 1, 2019 according to OH Board Chair Dr. Scott LaMascus. Oklahoma Humanities supports public programming based in the scholarship of the humanities disciplines. Programs encourage the exploration of ideas that inspire Oklahomans to think more deeply about our lives, our communities, and our democracy. Oklahoma Humanities is an independent nonprofit founded in 1971 and the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Mrs. Lowery was enthusiastic about her new opportunity with OH, “My vision for the humanities in Oklahoma seeks to change lives through robust public programming; creation of capacity-building opportunities for rural organizations through OH grants, service as the statewide convener for the humanities in idea-making, cohort-and-bridge building; and to preserve our heritage while inspiring our futures. It is with humility and excitement that I look forward to this new role.”

Combined with more than a decade of fundraising and nonprofit experience, Lowery has a BA in Humanities from the University of Central Oklahoma and an M.A. in Arts Administration and Leadership from The University of Oklahoma. As a consultant fundraiser, she successfully raised over 2.5 million dollars through large-scale national grant awards, private funders, and events. She volunteers with the Oklahoma Women’s Coalition and serves on the Advocacy Board of the UCO College of Liberal Arts.

OH Board Chair Dr. Scott LaMascus stated, “After a national search process leading to many fine candidates, the Executive Committee of the Board has strongly endorsed Lowery for our next leader. She is outstanding in her advocacy of the humanities, knowledge of programs of the National Endowment for the Humanities, service in fundraising for her alma mater and her knowledge of the cultural organizations and political landscape of Oklahoma,” LaMascus said.

“She will be a fantastic leader for our wonderful staff, serving all 77 counties of Oklahoma with the programming and financial support vital to making our communities stronger, our lives

more meaningful and our state a better place to work, grow and live.”

Lowery is following retiring Executive Director Ann Thompson, who began her tenure in January 2006.

About Oklahoma Humanities

Oklahoma Humanities (OH) is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life through humanities disciplines such as history, literature, ethics, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OH provides a free educational magazine, Smithsonian Institution exhibits, reading and discussion groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. OH engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of the human experience.

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Oklahoma Humanities grants encourage cultural programming on the local level across the state. Eligible projects must support OH's mission to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life. OH grants can fund a variety of humanities-based projects, including exhibits, lectures, panel discussions, websites, film festivals, and more.

"Oklahoma Humanities funds eligible projects that bridge academic disciplines like history, literature, and philosophy to the general public," said Ann Thompson, Executive Director. "Grant applicants from communities all over the state can receive funding for projects with diverse, thought-provoking ideas about the human story. We look forward to hearing from many organizations and communities with great ideas for humanities programs, for which OH grants around $200,000 each year."

Mandatory draft applications must be submitted no later than August 1 via OH's online grant system. Final applications must be submitted no later than September 1. Applicants must allow at least 90 days between the final application deadline and the starting date of the proposed project.

Visit okhumanities.org/grants for more information about Oklahoma Humanities grants, including a brief video introduction to the grant process, detailed application guidelines, and a list of previously funded projects.

Questions about the grant application process can be directed to OH Program Officer Chris Carroll at chris@okhumanities.org.

Oklahoma Humanities Board members govern the organization, participate in strategic planning, attend OH-sponsored programs, serve on committees, advocate on behalf of the organization, and help identify funding sources for its programs. They also approve grant applications from other nonprofits to support humanities programs in communities across the state. For more information and to view the nominations packet, visit https://okhumanities.org/board-nominations.

Under normal circumstances, grant applications are reviewed by the OH Board of Trustees in late April and applicants are notified of funding decisions by May 1. The government shutdown includes a shutdown of the National Endowment for the Humanities, through which OH grant funding is provided. Organizations interested in applying for grant funding are encouraged to begin the application process and to check okhumanities.org for updates regarding the status of OH’s ability to disburse grant funds. 

Oklahoma Humanities grants encourage cultural programming on the local level across the state. Eligible projects must support OH's mission to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life. OH grants can fund a variety of humanities-based projects, including exhibits, lectures, panel discussions, websites, film festivals, and more.

"Oklahoma Humanities funds eligible projects that bridge the academic disciplines like history, literature, and philosophy to the general public," said Ann Thompson, Executive Director. "Grant applicants from communities all over the state can receive funding for projects with diverse, thought-provoking ideas about the human story. We look forward to hearing from many organizations and communities with great ideas for humanities programs, for which OH grants around $200,000 each year."

Mandatory draft applications must be submitted no later than March 1 via OH's online grant system. Final applications must be submitted no later than April 1. Applicants must allow at least 90 days between the final application deadline and the starting date of the proposed project.

Visit okhumanities.org/grants for more information about Oklahoma Humanities grants, including a brief video introduction to the grant process, detailed application guidelines, and a list of previously funded projects.

Questions about the grant application process can be directed to OH Program Officer Chris Carroll at chris@okhumanities.org.

Norman Public Library East, Ada Public Library, Locust Grove Arts Alliance, Heavener Runestone Park, and Museum of the Western Prairie in Altus have been expressly chosen by Oklahoma Humanities to host the exhibit as part of the Museum on Main Street project—a national, state, and local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations. The exhibition will tour these five communities in Oklahoma from July 2019 through April 2020.

Water is an important element in American culture. We are drawn to water for peace and contemplation. The sights and sounds of water make us feel connected to nature. Many faiths revere water as a sacred symbol. Authors and artists are inspired by the graceful ways in which water flows, but also by its unstoppable force.

Water has also played a vital role in our society. Water routes made significant impacts on our settlement and migration patterns. We use it for manufacturing and agriculture and economic planning. Water/Ways examines the many ways in which we use water and how we can sustain it for the future. Complementary programs in each community will highlight local connections to water.

“Allowing all of our state’s residents to have access to the cultural resources of our nation’s premiere museum is a priority of Oklahoma Humanities,” said Ann Thompson, Executive Director. “With this special tour, we are pleased to be working with these communities to help develop local exhibitions and public programs to complement the Smithsonian exhibition.”

Oklahoma Humanities has contracted with Dr. Mark Davies, Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics at Oklahoma City University, to serve as an advisor to each of the host sites as they develop and implement public programming that shares the local narrative of water.

Water/Ways is part of Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across the nation, and local host institutions and was adapted from an exhibition organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York. To learn more about Water/Ways and other Museum on Main Street exhibitions, visit http://www.museumonmainstreet.org.

Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress. Local support provided by Beaver Express, the Chickasaw Nation, and Ozarka Water.

Oklahoma Humanities grants encourage cultural programming on the local level across the state. Eligible projects must support OH's mission to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life. OH grants can fund a variety of humanities-based projects, including exhibits, lectures, panel discussions, websites, film festivals, and more.

"Oklahoma Humanities funds eligible projects that bridge the academic disciplines like history, literature, and philosophy to the general public," said Ann Thompson, Executive Director. "Grant applicants from communities all over the state can receive funding for projects with diverse, thought-provoking ideas about the human story.”

Mandatory draft applications must be submitted no later than August 1 via the council's online grant system. Final applications will be submitted no later than September 1. Applicants must allow at least 90 days between the final application deadline and the starting date of the proposed project.

Visit our website to find more information about Oklahoma Humanities grants, including a brief video introduction to our grant process, detailed application guidelines, and a list of previously funded projects: www.okhumanities.org/grants.

Any questions about the grant application process can be directed to Program Officer Chris Carroll at chris@okhumanities.org. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions byOctober 1, 2018.

“Museum on Main Street” is expressly designed to reach rural cultural organizations and is offered free of charge. While applications are sought from communities with populations of up to 20,000, towns with populations as few as 4,000 have been successful in achieving the program’s goals. Hosting a “Museum on Main Street” exhibition offers communities a rare opportunity to increase visitation, visibility, and civic pride.

“Water/Ways is our sixth Smithsonian tour,” said Ann Thompson, OH Executive Director. “Over the years, we’ve seen how these exhibits act as a catalyst for projects in communities that normally wouldn’t have the resources to bring in exhibits of this caliber.”

Host sites will receive capacity building training, funding for supplemental programs, and the expertise of a state scholar to help each site connect the exhibit to their local narrative. OH will work closely with each community to ensure a successful tour.

Applicants are encouraged to consider the many ways in which Oklahomans interact with water. Water is a vital element in our culture. We rely on it for our daily needs: health, food, power, and industry. Water represents purity and has spiritual implications. We feel personal connections with it through nature and recreation. What responsibilities do we have to ensure the quality and reliability of our current water sources? How can flood, drought, and other water-related disasters impact a community?

Host sites for each six-week exhibition will be selected based on geographic location, evidence of strong community support, strength of ideas for supplemental programming, and physical event space. Water/Ways requires an area of 650 square feet with an 8’6” minimum. OH staff may conduct site visits to collect additional information prior to the final host site selections.

Additional information about Water/Ways can be found at https://museumonmainstreet.org/content/waterways. A link to OH’s online application can be found at: www.okhumanities.org. The deadline for application submissions has been extended to May 18, 2018. For questions, contact Kelly Burns, OH Program Officer, at (405) 235-0280 or kelly@okhumanities.org.

About Oklahoma Humanities

Oklahoma Humanities (OH) is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understanding new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life through humanities disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OH provides a free educational magazine, Smithsonian Institution exhibits, reading and discussion groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. OH engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

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Bernstein, along with fellow Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward, is credited with the investigative journalism that ultimately led to President Nixon’s resignation over the cover-up of the Watergate burglary in 1972. The importance of that reporting and its parallels in today’s political environment will be the topic of a conversation moderated by NPR station KGOU’s General Manager Dick Pryor.

Audience members will hear firsthand how the accusation of fake news can affect journalists today from Journal Record Editor and Associate Publisher Ted Streuli. Tips on how media consumers can discern good from bad media will be distributed. A first-person portrayal of President Richard Nixon will remind the audience of the challenges the President faced with the media.

The event is free but registration is required. It will take place at the Oklahoma City University Law School at 6:00. There are also a limited number of tickets for a paid reception at 5:00 at which Mr. Bernstein will appear. Tickets may be reserved at okhumanities.org.

This event is part of a national initiative called, “Democracy and the Informed Citizen”, administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils in partnership with the Pulitzer Prizes and funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Additional partners include Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation, NBC Bank, Full Circle Bookstore, Oklahoma City University, KGOU, and Journal Record. Arrangements for the appearance of Carl Bernstein made through Greater Talent Network, Inc., New York, NY. For more information contact Oklahoma Humanities at 405-235-0280.

About Oklahoma Humanities

Oklahoma Humanities (OH) is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life through humanities disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OH provides a free educational publication, Smithsonian Institution exhibits, reading and discussion groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. OH engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

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The OH grants program encourages cultural programming on the local level across the state. Eligible projects must support OH's mission to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life. Grant projects may be structured in a variety of ways: lectures, panel discussions, websites, audio or video productions, exhibitions, and more.

"We are always pleased by the rich and diverse applications we receive from applicants all across the state," said Ann Thompson, OH Executive Director. "Whatever the format, we see communities using the rich, thought-provoking ideas we find in history, literature, ethics, and other disciplines to help us understand what is important to our lives. We look forward to hearing from many with these great ideas, for which OH grants around $200,000 each year."

Mandatory draft applications must be submitted no later than March 1 via the council's online grant system. Final applications must be submitted no later than April 1. Applicants must allow at least 90 days between the final application deadline and the starting date of the proposed project.

Visit our website to find more information about Oklahoma Humanities grants, including a brief video introduction to our grant process, detailed application guidelines, and a list of previously funded projects: www.okhumanities.org/grants.

If you have questions about the grant application process, please contact Program Officer Chris Carroll at chris@okhumanities.org. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by early May 2018.

This series complements the Smithsonian Institution exhibit, The Way We Worked, on display at Waurika Public Library, July 22 - September 8. Both programs are brought to you by Oklahoma Humanities.

“Not for Children Only” is the theme of the current book discussion series. Do certain children’s books evoke feelings of nostalgia? What was your favorite childhood story, and what impact did it have in your life? Have you ever wondered about the origins of fairy tales and how they have changed over time? Would you like to have a deeper understanding of children’s classics so that you might better share them with your children or grandchildren? Whether you would like to re-experience books that influenced you in the past or explore certain children’s classics for the first time, this series is guaranteed to be eye-opening and thought-provoking.

Humanities professors will begin each session with a talk about the book. Participants will learn about relevant topics, such as: the author’s life, what inspired their writing, the book’s contemporary relevance, and the broader genre of children’s literature. After the presenter’s talk, the group will participate in a casual discussion, sharing their own insights, ideas, and reflections on the readings. Participants will meet at 2:30 pm at the NSU Broken Arrow Campus Annex at 3100 E. New Orleans Street. Refreshments will be served.

Dates and titles for the series are as follows:

Jan. 25^th - Andrew Vassar, Ph.D. presents The Classic Fairy Tales by Iona Opie and Peter Opie and Tatterhood and Other Tales edited by Ethel Johnston Phelps

Feb. 14^th – Russell Lawson, Ph.D. presents Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Mar. 7^th – David Oberhelman, Ph.D. presents The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Mar. 28^th – Brian Cowlishaw, Ph.D. presents Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White and Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Apr. 18^th – Helen Clements, Ph.D. presents Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor and I Am the Cheese by Robert Cormier

“This book discussion series serves as an excellent avenue to foster community dialogue and connect people with our finest Oklahoma scholars. We look forward to meeting and discussing with our shared Broken Arrow community how children’s literature has the ability to shape who we have become and how it can still influence us in adulthood,” states Pamela Louderback, NSU Broken Arrow Library Director.

Stop by the NSU Broken Arrow library to borrow books for the series. For directions, or for more information, contact Pamela Louderback at (918) 449-6452 or louderba@nsuok.edu. Come to one session, or come to them all. The program is free, and everyone is welcome.

This series is made possible by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities with generous funding from the Inasmuch Foundation and the Kirkpatrick Family Fund.

Contact: Kelly Burns
Oklahoma Humanities
(405) 235-0280 · kelly@okhumanities.org

"These projects bridge the academic disciplines like history, literature, and philosophy to the general public," said Ann Thompson, Executive Director. "They bring the human story to audiences in a variety of ways including museum exhibits, reading programs, and first-person portrayals of historic characters."

Event information is posted on the Oklahoma Humanities website calendar at: http://www.okhumanities.org/calendar. Grant applications and guidelines are available online at: http://www.okhumanities.org/grants.

Funded Projects and Offers:

Friends of the Pawnee Bill Ranch Association, Pawnee, OK – The June 2017 Pawnee Bill Wild West Show is a living history program presenting the culture and history of the American West. The historically accurate Wild West show features authentic acts and characters from the shows that toured the world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Cherokee National Historical Society, Tahlequah, OK – Cross-cultural educational outreach programs will focus on the history and heritage of the Cherokee people. These annual programs reach over 150 schools and cultural institutions across Oklahoma.

McAlester Public Library, McAlester, OK – Three free public presentations of the “Riders on the Orphan Train” program will highlight the history of the thousands of unwanted children who were brought by train to Oklahoma in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The programs in McAlester, Idabel, and Poteau will combine live music, storytelling, videos, an informal lecture, and an audience Q&A.

The Pickford Film Center, Bellingham, WA – Free screenings and panel discussions of the acclaimed documentary film Children of the Civil Rights will take place in Tulsa and Guthrie in February 2017. The film depicts the students who participated in the Oklahoma City lunch counter sit-in movement of the late 1950s and early 1960s, several of whom will participate in the panel discussions.

Southern Prairie Library System, Altus, OK – The 2017 Altus Chautauqua is a living history program that will present and interpret the theme “Cowboys and Cattle Trails.” This community-wide event held at the Altus Public Library, the Museum of the Western Prairie, and Western Oklahoma State College will coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Chisolm Trail. The events will feature workshops, discussions, and portrayals of figures such as Jesse Chisolm, Judge Isaac Parker, and more, from May 30 to June 3, 2017.

Tulsa Chautauqua, Tulsa, OK – The 2017 Oklahoma Chautauqua in Tulsa is a living history program that will present and interpret the theme “Cowboys and Cattle Trails.” This community-wide event held at the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum will coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Chisolm Trail. The events will feature workshops, discussions, and portrayals of figures such as Jesse Chisolm, Judge Isaac Parker, and more, from June 6 to June 10, 2017.

Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid, OK – The 2017 Enid Chautauqua is a living history program that will present and interpret the theme “Cowboys and Cattle Trails.” This community-wide event held at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center will coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Chisolm Trail. The events will feature workshops, discussions, and portrayals of figures such as Jesse Chisolm, Judge Isaac Parker, and more, from June 13 to June 17, 2017.

Friends of the Lawton Public Library, Lawton, OK – The 2017 Lawton Chautauqua is a living history program that will present and interpret the theme “Cowboys and Cattle Trails.” This community-wide event held at the Museum of the Great Plains and the Lawton City Hall Auditorium will coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Chisolm Trail. The events will feature workshops, discussions, and portrayals of figures such as Jesse Chisolm, Judge Isaac Parker, and more, from June 20 to June 24, 2017. 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Award-winning journalist, film director, and bestselling author Sebastian Junger speaks at the Midwest City Library at 8:30 am on April 15 at a free event co-sponsored by the Oklahoma Humanities Council.

Junger has reported for over two decades from some of the world's most dangerous locations, and his 2010 bestseller War intimately portrays the lives of American soldiers in combat. His newest book, Tribe, to be released on May 24, explores lessons from tribal societies about loyalty, belonging, and the eternal human quest for meaning, with a particular focus on the experiences of combat veterans returning home.

Junger will speak in a moderated conversation about his experiences and observations of Americans at war. Moderator Dr. Bill Bryans is a U.S. History professor at Oklahoma State University, an OHC board member and former Board Chair, and current President of the Oklahoma Museums Association.

In 2007 and 2008, Junger was embedded with American troops in the Korengal Valley, an area the New York Times called "perhaps the most hostile corner in all of Afghanistan." Junger's reporting for Vanity Fair and his book War explore the emotional experience of combat. His writing and the documentary film Restrepo, co-directed by Junger, describe young American soldiers in a tiny mountain outpost that was a magnet for violent insurgents. Junger's objective in his writing and filmmaking was "to convey what soldiers experience -- what war actually feels like."

Junger's 1997 bestseller The Perfect Storm profiled Atlantic fishermen caught in "the Storm of the Century" and was adapted for an acclaimed film in 2000. Junger has also reported on human rights abuses in Sierra Leone, war crimes in Kosovo, the peacekeeping mission in Cyprus, and hostage-taking in Kashmir. His film Restrepo was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2011 and won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Junger won the New York Times' Sydney Award for outstanding political and cultural journalism, and he won the International Press Academy's prestigious Humanitarian Award in 2015.

Admission to the April 15 event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Reservations are required and may be submitted by clicking here.

OHC is proud to present this event in partnership with the Metropolitan Library System and the Library Endowment Trust.

OHC will purchase over 900 copies of Pulitzer Prize-winning books relating to the themes of war and peace, civil rights and equality, and the American frontier. Books will be on loan to libraries and other nonprofit organizations through Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma, OHC’s statewide, humanities-based reading and discussion program designed to encourage readers to become more reflective and responsible thinkers.

The humanities help us learn from history, expand our perspectives beyond the immediate time and place, think more critically and analyze complex circumstances, and empathize with other points of view. Exploring the world through the lens of Pulitzer Prize-winning literature will serve as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue throughout the state.

Each of the three new Pulitzer-inspired discussion themes will consist of a five-book series. The series are being developed by humanities scholars who are dedicated to providing profound scholastic opportunities for the citizens of Oklahoma. Tracy Floreani, Ph.D., Professor of English at Oklahoma City University, sheds light on civil rights and issues of equality in America and India. Britton Gildersleeve, Ph.D., writing coach and consultant, challenges readers to consider how we define peace; is it simply “not war,” or is it something more? Bill Corbett, Ph.D., retired Professor of History, introduces us to the individuals who influenced the historical process and development of the great American frontier. Each scholar has composed an essay that introduces the theme’s five titles, ties the books in the series together, and acknowledges the vital role that the Pulitzer Prizes play in making these exceptional programs possible.

“OHC is honored to have this opportunity to work with the Pulitzer Prize to celebrate the legacy of Joseph Pulitzer and recognize the high-caliber literature associated with his name,” stated Ann Thompson, OHC Executive Director.

Applications to host this program will be accepted in March and April. Host sites for fall 2016 reading and discussion programs, featuring Pulitzer Prize winners, will be determined in May. To learn more about Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma, contact Kelly Burns at (405) 235-0280. To receive the latest updates about these Pulitzer sponsored programs, click here to sign up for OHC’s bi-monthly electronic news and calendar of events.

About the Campfires Initiative
To prepare for the centennial, the Pulitzer Prize Board announced the Campfires Initiative, which aims to ignite broad engagement with the journalistic, literary, and artistic values the Prizes represent. To inspire year-long programming throughout the country, the board partnered with the Federation of State Humanities Councils on the initiative. After a review of grant proposals, the Pulitzer Prize Board awarded more than $1.5 million to forty-six state humanities councils.

The program will feature Pulitzer Prize-winning work in journalism, arts and letters, and music. The goal of the board and the Federation of State Humanities Council is to engage American communities in discussion about the values these disciplines represent. “We look forward to bringing the centennial to life next year with a diverse array of council programming that reconnects Americans with the nation’s amazing cultural production of the last 100 years,” said Esther Mackintosh, president of the Federation of State Humanities Councils.

The Federation and the Pulitzer Prize Board, which is headquartered at Columbia University, developed this initiative together. It is supported by grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Federation, the Ford Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Pulitzer Prize Board.

To learn more about the Federation of State Humanities Councils, please visit www.statehumanities.org.

About the Oklahoma Humanities Council
The Oklahoma Humanities Council is a nonprofit organization that strengthens communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life. The Council strives to stimulate discussion, encourage new perspectives, and to actively engage people in the humanities disciplines, such as history, literature, philosophy, and ethics. To learn more, please visit: www.okhumanities.org.

Oklahoma City, OK -- The Oklahoma Poems and Their Poets anthology presents nearly 50 poems "about" Oklahoma by natives, ex-pats, and visitors alike. Pulitzer Prize winners N. Scott Momaday and Stephen Dunn are represented along with poets such as Naomi Shihab Nye, Joy Harjo, James McMurtry, Lauren Zuniga, and Ben Myers.

Edited by 2013-14 Oklahoma Poet Laureate Nathan Brown, the collection is a fun, honest, sometimes raw look at the state, with chapters on "People," "Places," and "Odds & Ends." Reviewer Valerie Lawson says the anthology "remind(ed) me of things I'd forgotten through its portrayals of rural life, the deep connection to the land and weather, the sense of community when tragedy strikes, and even the naked bigotry and oppression portrayed in some poems. If you want to get a real sense of Oklahoma, look to our poets; look to this book."

"This book is full of Pulitzer winners, state laureates, you name it," says reviewer Caroline Shay, "but it is unpretentious and fun to read."

"I didn't put one of my own poems in the book," says editor Nathan Brown, "so I could honestly say this is a truly great collection of poems. The quality of the work stands up to almost any anthology." Brown is available to host or sponsor events, readings, and book discussions of Oklahoma Poems and Their Poets, and he can even bring along some of the great poets featured in the book to read and discuss their work. He can be contacted at nub@ou.edu.

Oklahoma Poems and Their Poets is an excellent resource for secondary and college-level poetry classes, poetry workshops, reading groups, and Oklahoma libraries. It is also a fantastic read for anyone interested in new perspectives on the Sooner State. Copies are available through Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Mezcalita Press. A portion of the proceeds go to the Oklahoma Humanities Council.

The OHC grants program encourages cultural programming on the local level across the state. Eligible projects must support the OHC mission to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life. Grant projects may be structured in a variety of ways: lectures, panel discussions, websites, audio or video productions, exhibitions, and more.

"OHC funds projects that explore the human experience," said Ann Thompson, Executive Director. "We welcome applications from any nonprofit in the state that has a project deeply rooted in the humanities disciplines."

Drafts must be submitted no later than August 1, and all final applications must be submitted no later than August 15 via the council's online granting system. Applicants must allow at least 90 days between the final application deadline and the date of the proposed program or presentation.

Visit our website to find more information about our grant process, including detailed guidelines and a list of previously funded projects: www.okhumanities.org/grants.

If you have questions during the application process, or to determine whether or not a project may qualify, please contact Caroline Lowery, Program Officer, at 405/235-0280 or caroline@okhumanities.org. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by early October 2015.

The Oklahoma Humanities Council will address these and other questions about gender equality at our next think & DRINK event at Fassler Hall OKC, 421 NW 10th St., on Friday, June 26, at 7:00 pm. Our think & DRINK event is free and open to the public, so while the entry fee is on us, drinks are on you!

think & DRINK is a fun and informal conversation series in local pubs on provocative topics and new ideas. The June 26 event will feature a brief introduction of the topic of gender equality before audience members vote for the side of the argument they support. Two engaging panelists will then present their sides of the issue, and audience members will join in the conversation before a final vote at the end of the evening.

The two speakers presenting contrasting view of gender equality will be Dr. Roksana Alavi, professor at the University of Oklahoma, and Andrea Mason, owner of barre3 studios in Edmond, Midtown OKC, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa.

Dr. Alavi teaches in the Women and Gender Studies Program and is involved in OU’s Center for Social Justice. Her research focuses on gender, race, stereotyping, and oppression, and she has recently taught and researched issues of local and global human trafficking. Mrs. Mason’s work with her husband Desmond as co-owner of barre3 focuses on improving the health and lives of Oklahomans. Barre3 combines ballet, yoga, and Pilates to strengthen, align, and balance the body.

Audience members at think & DRINK events are invited to think and talk together, reflecting the Oklahoma Humanities Council's emphasis on infusing important public conversations with critical thinking and fresh ideas. For more information about think & DRINK, please contact OHC Program Officer Caroline Lowery at (405) 235-0280 or at caroline@okhumanities.org.

Deadline: July 15, 2015

The Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) invites scholars holding an advanced degree in a humanities field to apply to act as the State Humanities Scholar for a partnership program with the Smithsonian Institution. The Scholar will help develop and implement local programming complementing the Smithsonian Institution's Museum on Main Street traveling exhibition called The Way We Worked. The exhibit will tour six Oklahoma communities from January 2017 through December 2017, with the Scholar contracted to assist from January 2016 through December 2017. The overarching intention of using a State Humanities Scholar is to help host sites with the development of locally-based ancillary exhibitions, community activities, and public educational programs that expand on the Smithsonian exhibition’s central themes. Please reference the Museum on Main Street website for more information.

About Museum on Main Street
The Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program is the Smithsonian Institution key initiative that directly engages small town audiences and brings revitalized attention to underserved rural communities through their own museums, historical societies, and other cultural venues. MoMS develops critical partnerships with state humanities councils to bring Smithsonian traveling exhibitions to small towns. MoMS exhibitions are a powerful catalyst – opening doors to a community’s own history, its culture, its people, and to an enhanced pride of place.

About the State Humanities Scholar
The main responsibility of the State Humanities Scholar is to work hand in hand with local host communities to develop and implement complementary public programming that shares the local narrative of work and how work shapes our culture.

For a contract amount of $6,500 plus travel expenses, scholars will be required to:

• Travel to each host location (6 statewide sites) to assist in program development and implementation over the 2016 planning year
• Attend the Statewide Programming Meeting: June 2016 in Oklahoma City
• Attend the Exhibition Installation Workshop: January 2017 (Location to be determined)
• Attend the Capacity Building Training (part of the Installation Workshop): January 2017
• Author a 2,250 word essay intended for a general audience that addresses Oklahoma specific examples of the cultural themes expressed in the exhibit for publication in Oklahoma HUMANITIES Magazine

State Humanities Scholars nationwide have also been used by past participating MoMS Sites in a wide variety of ways:

• As lecturers at exhibition openings
• To develop educational resources for teachers/students
• As contributors to state-based websites
• As authors of exhibition-related essays for academic journals and state council newsletters
• As frequent respondents to statewide media
• As a curator of on-line exhibition content about state history

To be considered for this important public humanities scholarship opportunity, please respond by July 15, 2015, by sending an email to Caroline Lowery (caroline@okhumanities.org) with the following information:

• Your CV or Resume that demonstrates expertise in Oklahoma history, the history of work, or other areas pertinent to the exhibit themes.
• Brief writing sample for a general audience
• Brief description of why you are specifically well suited to carry out the project goals

Contact Caroline Lowery with any questions: caroline@okhumanities.org

OHC Executive  Director Ann Thompson says that the OHC has a long history of support for cultural and educational events across Oklahoma. "Since 1971 our organization has been pleased to grant funds to nonprofits around the state for public programming that is based in the scholarship of the humanities disciplines," said Thompson. "These projects reflect the vibrancy found in communities as they share stories about the human experience with their audiences."

Event information is posted on the OHC calendar at www.okhumanities.org/calendar. Grant applications and guidelines are available online at www.okhumanities.org/grants.

Funded Projects and Offers:

Cherokee National Historical Society, Inc., Tahlequah, OK -- $5,000 to fund the exhibit Cherokee Syllabary: From Talking Leaves to Pixels, depicting the history of the Cherokee written language from the early 19th century through its current adaptations to 21st century technologies. The exhibit will be on display at the Cherokee Heritage Center in Park Hill, OK, from Nov. 14, 2015, through April 2016.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma City, OK -- $15,000 to fund the exhibit Fabergé: Jeweler to the Tsars, on display from June 20 to September 27, 2015. The exhibit will display more than 230 rare and storied treasures, such as the famous jeweled eggs and other hand-crafted adornments created by the House of Fabergé for the Russian imperial family.

The Association of the Friends of the Wichitas, Lawton, OK -- $3,170 to fund the project The Legacy of the CCC and WPA in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge: 1933-1942. The project will document and make public information about the impact of the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Members of the public will be invited to share stories and materials which will be displayed in the visitor center and discussed at presentations in July and September 2015.

The Oklahoma Heritage Association, Oklahoma City, OK -- $5,000 to fund an event featuring renowned author and historian Michael Wallis titled Route 66 and the American West. Wallis will discuss the significance of "The Mother Road" in the history and development of Oklahoma and the nation at a free event open to the public on July 30, 2015, at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum.

Oklahoma State University -- Oklahoma City (OSU-OKC), Oklahoma City, OK -- $5,000 to fund the Not So Wild West Humanities and Creative Writing Camp to be held at OSU-OKC from July 6-17, 2015. The camp for middle school students will explore Western literature, visual arts, and film, examining themes such as Native American rights, the roles of women, urbanization, and good versus evil. The campers' stories will be compiled in a blog that will be made public at the end of the camp.

Nominations received by May 31 of each year will be considered for open board positions as of the following November 1, or for unexpected vacancies. Trustees are appointed for a 3-year term, with re-nomination possible for a second 3-year term. Please send nomination materials to:

Oklahoma Humanities Council
428 W. California Ave., Ste. 270
Oklahoma City, OK 73102

For more information, please contact Ann Thompson, Executive Director, at 405/235-0280.

Oklahoma City, OK -- The Oklahoma Wildlife Management Foundation (OWMF) announced today that it is hosting Aldo Leopold -- A Standard of Change, a one-man play performed by Jim Pfitzer.

Considered the father of wildlife management, Leopold wrote the best-selling book A Sand County Almanac prior to his death, which has sold more than two million copies to date.

Leopold died of a heart attack in 1948, while battling a wildfire on a neighbor's property.

According to the OWMF, there will be three performances of the play; all three are free and open to the public, but seating is limited at all locations.

The first performance is scheduled for Monday, April 20, at 7:00 pm, at the Oklahoma History Center at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, in Oklahoma City.

The second performance is set for Tuesday, April 21, at 7:30 pm, in Click Hall at the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Alumni Center in Stillwater.  The Alumni Center is located across the street from the OSU Student Union.

The third performance is slated for Saturday, April 25, at 2:30 pm, in the Frossard Auditorium at the Hardesty Library in Tulsa.

These performances are made possible by a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council.

Other sponsors include the Oklahoma History Center, Jerome Westheimer Family Foundation, Mary K. Oxley Nature Center Assoc., Dept. of Integrative Biology-OSU, Dept. of Natural Resources Ecology & Management-OSU, Tulsa Audubon Society, Dave Zucconi, the Waters Family, Oklahoma Leopold Education Project, and the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.

For additional information, contact Luann Waters at (405) 642-9232.

OETA presents a new look at the experiences of Native American Vietnam Veterans Monday, March 30, at 10pm; Encore Thursday, April 2, at 7:30pm

Including stories from the Cherokee, Osage, Comanche, Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes, Native Oklahoma: Vietnam Veterans features first-hand accounts of combat veterans who served in the conflict sharing their experiences both during service and after returning to a country deeply divided by the war.

Expertly produced for broadcast by the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribe, specifically CATV 47 Producer/Editor Randy Burleson and Host/Video Journalist Darrin Brown, Native Oklahoma shines the spotlight on and honors often overlooked Native veterans.

“The partnership between OETA and the tribes was critical in bringing these stories of our history to life,” stated Dan Schiedel, OETA executive director. "Another invaluable partner to Native Oklahoma was The Oklahoma Humanities Council, an organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing Oklahoma culture, education and community."

Native Oklahoma is a first-of-its-kind joint television project between OETA and Oklahoma Indian tribes. Native culture, history, song, dance and values are featured with stories submitted from the Cherokee, Osage, Comanche, Cheyenne and Arapaho nations.

Native Oklahoma: Native Vietnam Veterans will also be available online at videos.oeta.tv.

OETA consistently engages Oklahomans across the state with educational and public television programming, outreach initiatives and online features that collectively encourage lifelong learning. Explore www.oeta.tv for more information about local productions, community resources and show schedules.

"The Way We Worked is our fifth Smithsonian tour," said Ann Thompson, OHC Executive Director. "Over the years, we've seen how these exhibits act as a catalyst for projects in communities that normally don't have the resources to bring in exhibits of this caliber."

Hosting a Museum on Main Street exhibition offers a community a rare opportunity to increase visitation, visibility, and civic pride. Host sites for each six-week exhibition will be selected based on geographic location, evidence of strong community support, strength of proposed ideas for supplementary events, and physical event space.

OHC staff may conduct a site visit to collect additional information prior to the final host site selection. Applications are due May 1, 2015. The Oklahoma Humanities Council will work with an organization every step of the way to ensure a successful tour for their community.

About The Way We Worked:

With busy hands and minds American workers perform a diverse array of jobs to power our society. Work is part of nearly every American’s life, whether for professional satisfaction and personal growth or to ensure the well-being of their families. In offices, factories, on the road, and at home, millions keep the nation going through contributions to industry and American culture.

The Way We Worked, adapted from the original exhibition developed by the National Archives, explores how work became such a central element in American culture by tracing the many changes that affected the workforce and work environments over the past 150 years. The exhibition draws from the Archives’ rich collections to tell this compelling story. The diversity of the American workforce is one of its strengths, providing an opportunity to explore how people of all races and ethnicities identified commonalities and worked to knock down barriers in the professional world. The exhibition shows how we identify with work—as individuals and as communities.

The exhibition invites visitors to hear workers tell their own stories and view films of various industries. Interactive components convey the experiences of multiple generations of families involved in the same industry. Building on this national theme, host sites in Oklahoma develop complementary programming or exhibits that highlight their community's work-related history.

Host site applications are available online at www.okhumanities.org. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Caroline Lowery, OHC Program Officer, at 405/235-0280 or via email at caroline@okhumanities.org. For more information on Museum on Main Street, please visit www.museumonmainstreet.org.

The exhibit debuts on Thursday, March 5, at Oklahoma City’s Ralph Ellison Library, where it will be displayed through April 17. From there it will visit the Miami Public Library, Muskogee’s Five Civilized Tribes Museum, Ponca City’s Pioneer Woman Museum, Weatherford’s SWOSU Museum on Main Street, and the Guymon Public Library.

The exhibit is free and open to all ages. The exhibit's host cities will add complementary programming and exhibits highlighting their own unique sports histories. An exhibit on Oklahoma sports, created by the Oklahoma Historical Society, will also tour with the national exhibit. Sections of the exhibit focus on the interactions of sports with commerce and culture, iconic arenas, fans' and athletes' personal experiences, heated national and local sports rivalries, new "alternative" sports, and ways sports have mirrored society through struggles for equality for women and minorities.

Hometown Teams is part of the Museum on Main Street program, which is a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and state humanities councils nationwide. The Oklahoma Hometown Teams tour has been generously supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and by our local sponsors: The Boeing Company; Kirschner Trusts; The Pauline Dwyer Macklanburg and Robert A. Macklanburg, Jr., Foundation; Guernsey; Beaver Express Services LLC; and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

For more information about Hometown Teams, please contact OHC Program Officer Caroline Lowery at (405) 235-0280 or at caroline@okhumanities.org.

think & DRINK is a series of hosted conversations in local pubs on provocative topics and new ideas. The March 13 event will feature a discussion of privacy issues, with two contrasting humanities scholars presenting each side of the debate on whether personal privacy is worth sacrificing. Themes of discussion may include the right to privacy, the ethics of data collection, the history of privacy in the United States, and the impact of privacy on the millennial generation.

After a brief introduction of the topic, audience members will vote on which side they support. Ryan Kiesel, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, will then present his side of the issue, with Matt Gile, an Associate at the Hall Estill Law Firm, presenting a contrasting argument. Audience members will engage in facilitated conversation on the topic along with the panelists, and a final audience vote will be taken at the end of the evening.

Audience members at think & DRINK events are invited to think and talk together, reflecting the Oklahoma Humanities Council's emphasis on infusing important public conversations with critical thinking and fresh ideas. All think & DRINK events will be free and open to the public. Future events in 2015 will present a discussion of states’ rights versus the federal government and a conversation about U.S. foreign policy.

For more information about think & DRINK, please contact OHC Program Officer Caroline Lowery at (405) 235-0280 or at caroline@okhumanities.org.

Initially funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, “Muslim Voices” creates a space for children and teens of all faith backgrounds to recognize the common bonds that unite us all and to learn about Muslim culture and various traditions throughout the world.

“The book group format makes time for thinking deeply about one idea, over time, which is necessary for this topic,” said Sara Ogger, Executive Director of the New York Council for the Humanities.

Ann Thompson, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Humanities Council, further explains the value of the program: "This program is a perfect fit for our mission to help Oklahomans learn about the human experience and gain new perspectives. Because it focuses on Muslims in America, the program touches on a topic of current interest and urgency in Oklahoma. We hope that children and young adults who participate in the program will gain knowledge that will help them to make informed decisions."

Participants will come together to discuss a variety of thematically linked texts with two facilitators, one of whom is a humanities scholar. Over the course of the four sessions in the “Muslim Voices” series, participants and program facilitators will explore universal themes in American life, such as courage, community, freedom and faith, through high-quality books with Muslim protagonists. Each 60-minute session focuses on one book and one theme, allowing the group to engage in deep discussions of literature and the common bonds that make us human.

Programs for 13-19 year-olds will take place at Miami Public Library on the following Tuesday afternoons at 4:00 pm: February 24, March 24, April 28, and May 26. Books to be discussed are How Does It Feel to Be a Problem by Moustafa Bayoumi, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah, and The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf by Mohja Kahf. Contact Priscilla Wenzel to sign up and receive the next book in the series: (918) 541-2292.

Andrew Vassar, Ph.D. will serve as the humanities scholar for the program in Miami. Dr. Vassar is a professor of English and humanities at Northeastern State University. His training in Muslim culture includes having attended the Dar al Islam Teacher’s Institute on Understanding and Teaching About Isalm at the Dar al Islam Mosque in Abiquiu, New Mexico in 2007. He also participated in the Fulbright Visiting Specialist Program: Direct Access to the Muslim World, with Muhammed Syamsuddin of Gadja Mada University of Yogakarta, Indonesia in 2009.

The series for children ages 8-12 will be held at Norman Public Library on the following Sundays at 3:00 pm: February 8, February 15, February 22, March 1 and March 8. Books to be discussed are The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter, Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai, Nasreen’s Secret School by Jeanette Winter, Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah, and Kampung Boy by Lat. Richard Rouillard, retired professor of English and humanities at Oklahoma City Community College, will serve as the humanities scholar for this series. Books for the series may be picked up at the children’s desk, or call (405) 701-2630 for more information.

The “Muslim Voices” book group for teens will be offered at Norman Public Library West on the following Mondays at 6:30 pm: February 23, March 9, March 23, and April 6. Books to be discussed are Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, No Safe Place by Deborah Ellis, Does My Head Look Big in This by Randa Abdel-Fattah, and How Does It Feel to Be a Problem by Moustafa Bayoumi. Bill Hagen, Ph.D., retired professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University, will be the humanities scholar for the teen program. Contact Leanne Cheek for program details and to receive the next book to be discussed, (405) 801-4581.

All of the humanities scholars involved in this program attended discussion facilitator training in New York, hosted by the New York Council for the Humanities. The training was based on the Great Books Foundation’s Shared Inquiry method of discussion. The Shared Inquiry method centers on interpretive questions about a text that have more than one plausible answer. Instead of presenting the right answer, facilitators guide a group toward reaching their own interpretations and understanding the interpretations of others.

All “Muslim Voices” books are free and may be kept by the participants.

"This is such an honor, and we are so pleased to be named a finalist," said Ann Thompson, OHC Executive Director. "Because we are a statewide organization we recognize the impact that all of these organizations have in their communities and are proud to be recognized with them."

"The finalists are recognized, not merely for their efforts to better their community, but for their quality of process toward that effort," said David Hogan, Chairman of the ONE Awards Selection Commission. "These are nonprofits with not just big hearts, but great methods as well." The Selection Commission is comprised of community leaders from across Oklahoma who meet annually to expand awareness of charitable work in all communities.

The winners will be announced at a gala event on April 25 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa. For more information about the ONE Awards, please call 1-800-338-1798 or visit okcnp.org.

A special kick-off event will be held at the Ralph Ellison Library at 2:00 pm on March 5. Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett will speak at the exhibit opening, along with the Smithsonian Institution's Museum on Main Street Project Director Robbie Davis and Oklahoma Humanities Council Executive Director Ann Thompson. Representatives from the Oklahoma City Thunder will also be in attendance.

The kickoff event and the Hometown Teams exhibit are free and open to all ages. The exhibit features videos, photos, interactive materials, and artifacts illustrating how sports are more than just games -- they shape our lives, unite us, and celebrate who we are as Americans. Sections of the exhibit focus on the interactions of sports with commerce and culture, iconic arenas, fans' and athletes' personal experiences, heated national and local sports rivalries, new "alternative" sports, and ways sports have mirrored society through struggles for equality for women and minorities.

The Hometown Teams exhibit represents the essential qualities of sports -- competition, fair play, and the zeal to win -- and shows how they embody the American spirit. Our hometown teams represent our communities, instill pride in them, and create bonds that are passed from one generation to the next. As basketball legend Bob Cousy states, "Sports gives your life structure, discipline, and a genuine, sincere, pure fulfillment that few other areas of endeavor provide."

Museum on Main Street programs sponsored by the Oklahoma Humanities Council bring Smithsonian Institution exhibits to communities around the state. The Hometown Teams exhibit will run at the Ralph Ellison Library through April 17, 2015, after which it will be displayed in Miami, Muskogee, Ponca City, Weatherford, and Guymon through December 2015. The exhibit's host cities will also add complementary programming and exhibits highlighting their own hometowns' unique sports histories. An exhibit on Oklahoma sports, created by the Oklahoma Historical Society, will also tour with the national exhibit.

Bob Santelli, the Smithsonian's curator of the Hometown Teams exhibit, says, "Few aspects of American culture so colorfully and passionately celebrate the American experience as sports. The Hometown Teams exhibit shows how sports are an indelible part of our national and local culture and communities. The exhibit portrays how sports have helped shape our national and local character and how Americans' love of sports begins in our hometowns--on the sandlot, at the local ball field, and even in the street."

For more information about the Hometown Teams exhibit or the Museum on Main Street program, please contact Caroline Lowery, Oklahoma Humanities Council Program Officer, at caroline@okhumanities.org or at (405) 235-0280.

The dance of the whirling dervishes involves a continuous twirling with one hand pointed upward reaching for the divine while the other hand points to the ground. This spiritual celebration of existence will be performed by members of the Mawlawi Order, a branch of Sufism founded in the 13th century in the Turkish city of Konya. Sufism emphasizes universal love, peace, acceptance of various spiritual paths, and a mystical union with the divine.

The event will begin with a presentation about Rumi, the 13th century Persian poet and Sufi mystic whose poetry is still widely read in the United States and around the world. The performance of the whirling dervishes and a Turkish Sufi music ensemble will follow.

Tickets are $20 and $25 and can be purchased at www.tickets.occc.edu, or by calling (405) 682-7579.

Oklahoma City, OK -- The Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) invites museums, libraries, historical societies, and other community nonprofit organizations in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents to apply to host the Smithsonian Institution's Museum on Main Street traveling exhibition called The Way We Worked. The exhibit will tour six Oklahoma communities from January 2017 through December 2017.

"The Way We Worked is our fifth Smithsonian tour," said Ann Thompson, OHC Executive Director. "Over the years, we've seen how these exhibits act as a catalyst for projects in communities that normally don't have the resources to bring in exhibits of this caliber."

Hosting a Museum on Main Street exhibition offers a community a rare opportunity to increase visitation, visibility, and civic pride. Host sites for each six-week exhibition will be selected based on geographic location, evidence of strong community support, strength of proposed ideas for supplementary events, and physical event space.

OHC staff may conduct a site visit to collect additional information prior to the final host site selection. Applications are due May 1, 2015. OHC will work with an organization every step of the way to ensure a successful tour for their community.

About The Way We Worked:

With busy hands and minds American workers perform a diverse array of jobs to power our society. Work is part of nearly every American's life, whether for professional satisfaction and personal growth or to ensure the well-being of their families. In offices, factories, on the road, and at home, millions keep the nation going through contributions to industry and American culture.

The Way We Worked, adapted from the original exhibition developed by the National Archives, explores how work became such a central element in American culture by tracing the many changes that affected the workforce and work environments over the past 150 years. The exhibition draws from the Archives' rich collections to tell this compelling story. The diversity of the American workforce is one of its strengths, providing an opportunity to explore how people of all races and ethnicities identified commonalities and worked to knock down barriers in the professional world. The exhibition shows how we identify with work--as individuals and as communities.

The exhibition invites visitors to hear workers tell their own stories and view films of various industries. Interactive components convey the experiences of multiple generations of families involved in the same industry.

Building on this national theme, host sites in Oklahoma develop complementary programming or exhibits that highlight their community's work-related history.

Host site applications are available online at http://www.okhumanities.org/. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Caroline Lowery, OHC program officer, at 405/235-0280 or via email at caroline@okhumanities.org. For more information on Museum on Main Street, please visit http://www.museumonmainstreet.org/.

The OHC grants program encourages cultural programming on the local level across the state. Eligible projects must support the OHC mission to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life. Grant projects may be structured in a variety of ways: lectures, panel discussions, websites, audio or video productions, exhibitions, and more.

"OHC funds projects that explore the human experience," said Ann Thompson, Executive Director. "We welcome applications from any nonprofit in the state that has a project deeply rooted in the humanities disciplines."

Drafts must be submitted no later than March 1, and all final applications must be submitted no later than March 15 via the council's online granting system. Applicants must allow at least 90 days between the final application deadline and the date of the proposed program or presentation.

Visit our website to find out more information about our grant process, including detailed guidelines and a list of previously funded projects:  www.okhumanities.org/grants.

If you have questions during the application process, or to determine whether a project may qualify, please contact OHC at 405/235-0280 or contact Caroline Lowery, Program Officer, at caroline@okhumanities.org.  Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by early May 2015.

In 2004 the Montana Human Rights Network purchased 4,000 publications of extreme anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, racist "bibles" from a defecting leader of one of the most virulent white supremacist groups in the United States.  The Network and the Holter Museum of Art in Helena, MT, invited artists from across the country to transform these materials in provocative ways.  Forty-six of the resulting works form the Speaking Volumes Transforming Hate exhibit.

A Montana newspaper columnist wrote of the original 2008 exhibit, "Some artists pulped the pages of the books, completely remaking them into something altogether different.  Others altered the texts more subtly.  New York artist Charles Gute took pages of the books and marked them up, substituting words to create a whole reversal of the message."  By responding creatively to hate, injustice, and violence, the artworks in the Speaking Volumes Transforming Hate exhibit promote thinking and conversations that encourage empathy for others and respect for social justice.

An opening reception will be held from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Friday, Jan. 2, 2015.  Living Arts will also host a symposium on Jan. 10, 2015, during which scholars will discuss how art can bring about reconciliation, build bridges, and transform hate.  Symposium participants will include Dr. Jocelyn Payne, Executive Director of Tulsa's John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, and Ms. Katie Knight, curator of the Speaking Volumes Transforming Hate exhibit.  Admission to the gallery and the symposium is free, and the exhibit will run through Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015.

The Guerrilla Girls call themselves "feminist masked avengers," as they discuss sexism, racism, and corruption in the realms of politics, art, film, and pop culture.  For nearly 30 years this group of female artists has donned gorilla masks in public while dramatizing women's history and addressing the lack of opportunities for women and artists of color.

The presentation promises to include "facts, humor, and outrageous visuals" as the Guerrilla Girls discuss their three decades of activism and their attempts to redefine what they call the "stale, male, pale, Yale" perspective on art history.  The group has produced countless posters, billboards, and bumper stickers, along with several books and appearances at nearly 100 museums and universities.

Funding for the event will be provided in part by the Oklahoma Humanities Council.  The event is free and open to the public; for more information, contact tchubb@ecok.edu.

OHC Executive Director Ann Thompson says that the OHC has a long history of support for cultural and educational events across the state.  "Communities across the state benefit from these grants," said Thompson.  "Citizens have the opportunity to gather together, gain insight into important topics, and become more active civic participants.  By learning more about our shared human experience Oklahoma becomes a more vibrant, imaginative, and thoughtful state."

As individual programs are finalized, event information will be posted on the OHC calendar.  Grant applications and guidelines are available by clicking here.

Funded projects and offers:

Cherokee National Historical Society, Inc., Tahlequah, OK -- $7,000 to fund a cross cultural educational program focused on the history and heritage of the Cherokee peoples.  The annual program averages a reach of over 150 schools and cultural institutions with a statewide audience of over 7,000 people per year.

Friends of the Pawnee Bill Ranch Association, Pawnee, OK -- $4,000 for the 2015 Pawnee Bill's Original Wild West Show.  This living history program presents the culture and history of the American western experience.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma City, OK -- $11,000 to fund the 2015 exhibit "Intent to Deceive: Fakes and Forgeries in the Art World."  The exhibit will showcase and interpret major works of forgery and the masters they copied.  The public programs include a lecture and discussion with the guest curator, an operatic musical interpretation of the life of a master forger, and a Q&A with a Vermeer forgery expert.

University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK -- $3,000 to support the creation of the 2015 exhibit "Contextualizing Political Cartoons."  The exhibit presents, examines, and interprets the history and cultural significance of political cartons.

Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE -- $8,500 to fund the creation of the "Native Daughters" curriculum guide for K-12 educators that explores the history and cultural influences of Native American women.

Pioneer Library System Foundation, Norman, OK -- $15,000 for the Pioneer Library System's community reading program, "The Big Read," which will focus on Ursula K. Le Guin's novel A Wizard of Earthsea.  The program will explore the science fiction genre through the humanities and arts, and activities will include reading and discussion programs, a juried art exhibit, and a scholar panel lecture and discussion.

Chautauqua Council of Enid, Inc., Enid, OK -- $8,500 to fund the Enid Chautauqua.  This living history presentation program is themed around the Dust Bowl and will run in Enid, OK, June 9 to June 13, 2015.

Friends of the Lawton Public Library, Lawton, OK -- $8,500 to fund the Lawton Chautauqua.  This living history presentation program is themed around the Dust Bowl and will run in Lawton, OK, June 16 to June 20, 2015.

Seminole Nation Historical Society, Seminole, OK -- $8,500 for humanities content research and development for the 2016 exhibit "An Everlasting Fire: The Seminoles of Oklahoma," that explores the culture and history of the Seminole tribe in Oklahoma.  The exhibit will be displayed at the Seminole Nation Museum in Wewoka, OK.

Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK -- $7,000 to fund the 43rd annual Symposium on the American Indian.  The theme of the 2015 symposium is "Children: The Seeds of Change -- The Impact of Tribal Knowledge and Sovereign Rights on the Future of Cultural Identity."  Scholars with expertise in ethno-history and linguistics will deliver the keynote addresses and engage in panel discussions and seminars focusing on the symposium theme.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, OK -- $6,000 to fund the 2015 exhibit "Madonnas of the Prairie."  The exhibit will present and interpret the portrayal of women in the imagery of the American west.

Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center, Norman, OK -- $10,000 for the 2015 traveling exhibit "Water: Congressional Representation to Protect a Precious Resource."  The exhibit will present and interpret the processes and implications of congressional policy making on water and water rights issues at 18 locations across Oklahoma from July 2015 to January 2017.

Living Arts of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK -- $3,000 to fund the exhibit "Speaking Volumes Transforming Hate" and complementary public programming focusing on the use of the arts and humanities to explore the cultural ramifications of hate, intolerance, and prejudice.

John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, Tulsa, OK -- $10,000 to support the 2015 symposium on "Media and Reconciliation."  The symposium will address how the media influences the process of reconciliation, specifically regarding the Tulsa Race Riots and their aftermath.  Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson will be the featured speaker at the opening session on May 27, which will be free and open to the public.  Conference session topics will include the use of social media, television, and print media in the process of reconciliation.

Oklahoma City University President Robert Henry will facilitate the evening's conversation with Judge Wood regarding the commission's report and the role of the humanities in advancing a vibrant, competitive, and secure nation.  Judge Wood is a member of the commission and participated in producing the report in 2013.  Judge Wood will take questions from the public following her remarks.  The event is open to the public, and attendees may RSVP by calling (405) 208-7000 or emailing rsvp@okcu.edu.

"The Heart of the Matter" report identifies goals and recommendations for advancing the humanities and social sciences in our nation.  Other members of the Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences include Duke University President Richard Brodhead, New York Times columnist David Brooks, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Karl Eikenberry, film producer George Lucas, musician Yo-Yo Ma, and former U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter.

"As we strive to create a more civil public discourse, a more adaptable and creative workforce, and a more secure nation, the humanities and social sciences are the heart of the matter, the keeper of the republic -- a source of national memory and civic vigor, cultural understanding and communication, individual fulfillment, and the ideals we hold in common." --Taken from "The Heart of the Matter" report

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For those who are interested in learning about world religions and culture, this is a wonderful opportunity to talk about the Muslim faith and to ask questions they may have about misconceptions of Islam. The goal is for audience members to acknowledge our differences in a respectful way, to seek to understand, and to share the things that we do have in common. The program builds tolerance, empathy, and understanding and allows us to walk in someone else’s shoes for a moment through shared dialogue.

Charles Kimball, Th.D. will lead a discussion of the book at each session. Dr. Kimball is Presidential Professor and Director of Religious Studies at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK. An ordained Baptist minister, he received his Th.D. from Harvard University in comparative religion with specialization in Islamic studies. He is a frequent lecturer in universities and church-related settings as well as an expert analyst on the Middle East, Islam, Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations, and the intersection of religion and politics in the U.S.

“We are delighted to have been chosen to host this unique series that will allow the community a chance to discuss some important themes in Muslim history and literature with the help of a well-respected scholar such as Charles Kimball,” said Ersin Demirci, director of the Dialogue Institute.

The first program will explore The Columbia Sourcebook of Muslims in the United States edited by Edward E. Curtis, IV and will be held on Tuesday, October 1st at 7:00 pm. All programs will be held at the Raindrop Turkish House, 4444 N. Classen Blvd. in Oklahoma City. Books may be borrowed from this location as well.

Additional books will be discussed every three weeks. These books are Acts of Faith by Eboo Patel, October 22; A Quiet Revolution by Leila Ahmed, November 12; The Butterfly Mosque by G. Willow Wilson, December 3; Prince Among Slaves by Terry Alford, December 17.

All of the books to be discussed in this series are part of the Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys. The books and films comprising the Bookshelf were selected with the advice of librarians and cultural programming experts, as well as distinguished scholars in the fields of anthropology, world history, religious studies, interfaith dialogue, the history of art and architecture, world literature, Middle East studies, Southeast Asian studies, African studies, and Islamic studies.

For information about where to borrow books for the program or to register for an upcoming discussion, please contact Ersin Demirci at (405) 702-0222 or edemirciokc@gmail.com.

The Bridging Cultures Bookshelf is a project of NEH, conducted in cooperation with the ALA Public Programs Office, with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Additional support for the arts and media components was provided by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Arts. Local support is provided by the Oklahoma Humanities Council and the Dialogue Institute.

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• Educate Americans in the knowledge, skills, and understanding they will need to thrive in a twenty-first-century democracy.
• Foster a society that is innovative, competitive, and strong.
• Equip the nation for leadership in an interconnected world. 

The humanities promote these goals by cultivating critical reasoning, empathy, creativity, curiosity, flexibility, and knowledge of history, civics, languages, and other cultures, among others.

To renew this commitment to the humanities, the report urges increased federal funding for the humanities, including more support for state humanities councils and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The report also calls for heightened funding from businesses, foundations, donors, state governments, and public-private partnerships.

Dr. William Bryans, Chair of the OHC Board of Trustees, says that knowledge of the humanities is absolutely essential as we continue our venture into the twenty-first century. "Science and technology promise us wonderful and exciting advances that will be transformative in their impact," said Bryans. "Yet, if we are to fully realize the benefit of these advances, we need to be able to think critically, communicate effectively with one another, appreciate cultural differences, have empathy for others, promote civil discourse, and face this future with an understanding of our past. These are human qualities, not things we can physically touch. They certainly are not superfluous. They are as significant as any scientific or technological advancement. The humanities, by promoting these very necessary attributes, do nothing less than empower us to examine what it means to be human. In the process, they provide a very real foundation for a better future. "

The state humanities councils are intimately connected to this report in three ways. First, the councils played a key role in the report’s development. AAAS held four regional forums to gather information for the report. The first forum focused on collecting council recommendations, and councils also participated in the other forums.

State humanities councils play a key role in the report’s discussion of cultural institutions. The report applauds the councils and other public humanities organizations for promoting lifelong learning, individual well-being, and strong communities. Esther Mackintosh, President of the Federation of State Humanities Councils, describes in the report how councils foster a vibrant democracy:

"By educating low-income people in the full range of humanities disciplines, by bringing new immigrants into the fabric of their American communities, by forging partnerships with state and local governments to strengthen the cultural and educational infrastructure of their states, the humanities councils are making real the idea that a wise and visionary citizenry is the underpinning of a healthy civic life and a thriving democracy."

Third, the state councils will play a key role in the report’s impact. The Federation of State Humanities Councils is working with AAAS and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to hold events across the country. State councils will partner with State Library Agencies or other organizations to host conversations about the report’s recommendations and their application to states and local communities.

The Oklahoma Humanities Council welcomes these conversations as an important next step, and urges all Oklahoma citizens to do their part to make these recommendations a reality.

To view the full report or a seven-minute video, go to http://www.humanitiescommission.org.

About Hometown Teams:

Sports are an indelible part of our culture and community. For well over one hundred years sports have reflected the trials and triumphs of the American experience and helped shape our national character. Whether it’s professional sports, or those played on the collegiate or scholastic level, amateur sports or sports played by kids on the local playground, the plain fact is sports are everywhere in America. Our love of sports begins in our hometowns--on the sandlot, at the local ball field, even in the street. Americans play sports everywhere.

Building on this national theme, host sites in Oklahoma develop complementary programming or exhibits that highlight their own hometown sports history.

Host site applications are available online at www.okhumanities.org. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Caroline Lowery, OHC Program Officer, at 405/235-0280or via email caroline@okhumanities.org

Reservations for this special evening are $85/per person and can now be made online by visiting www.okhumanities.org/oklahoma-humanities-awards. For more information, please contact the Oklahoma Humanities Council at 405/235-0280.

• Oklahoma Humanities Award: honoring an individual who has contributed significantly to the understanding of the humanities in Oklahoma.
• Public Humanities Award: honoring an individual scholar responsible for outstanding public humanities programming in a library, museum, historical society, or other cultural institution.
• Community Leadership Award: honoring an institution or individual that creates or participates in a community-based program promoting public understanding of ideas and issues related to the humanities.
• Community Support Award: honoring a business, foundation, or individual that has contributed critical financial support to public humanities programming in Oklahoma.
• Humanities in Education Award: honoring a K-12 administrator, instructor, tribal education program, or school district that exhibits or supports excellence in humanities education.
• Outstanding OHC Project: recognizing an outstanding humanities project made possible by an Oklahoma Humanities Council program or grant.

Videos of previous awardees are located at http://www.youtube.com/OKHumanitiesCouncil.

Nomination forms and guidelines are posted on http://www.okhumanities.org/oklahoma-humanities-awards. For additional information, contact OHC assistant director David Pettyjohn: david@okhumanities.org or (405) 235-0280.

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To view an online version of the magazine and EXTRA! content, or to get a free one-year subscription to the magazine, visit the OHC website: http://www.okhumanities.org/publications.

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• Oklahoma State Champion - Denise Burns, Lawton High School (Lawton)

• 2nd Place Finalist - Morgan Steele, Union Intermediate High School (Broken Arrow)

• Olivia Fletcher, Stillwater High School (Stillwater)

• Denisse Garcia, Putnam City West High School (Oklahoma City)

• Megan Holmes, Cushing High School (Cushing)

• Sarah Southerland, Dickson High School (Dickson)

Oklahoma State Poet Laureate Eddie Wilcoxen gave a reading of his poetry during the 2012 state finals. A free reception to honor the state finalists followed the awards presentation

The state finals winner will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington (with his/her chaperone) to compete for the national championship. The winner’s school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. One runner-up will receive $100; his or her school will receive $200 for the purchase of poetry books.

A total of $50,000 in scholarships and school stipends will be awarded to winners at the National Finals, with a $20,000 college scholarship awarded to the National Champion. Note: prizes are offered only for official competitions identified and conducted by the Oklahoma Humanities Council.

A special thank you to the Oklahoma Arts Council and the George Kaiser Family Foundation for sponsoring the 2011-2012 Poetry Out Loud contest in Oklahoma.

DON'T MISS OUT ON AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THE SMITHSONIAN TO YOUR TOWN

Oklahoma City, OK - The Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) invites smaller museums, libraries, and historical societies in towns fewer than 20,000 residents to apply to host the Smithsonian traveling exhibition called New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music. The exhibit will tour six Oklahoma communities from March 2013 through January 2014. For more information on Museum on Main Street, please visit www.museumonmainstreet.org.

This is an opportunity for communities to tell their own stories while showcasing this nationally renowned exhibit. The exhibit is small enough for ease in installation; only 800 square feet is required. Hosts for previous tours in Oklahoma have benefitted by using the exhibit tour for fundraising, increasing visitation and visibility, complementing a festival or special event, providing educational opportunities for school students, and partnering with other community organizations. Even when the exhibit leaves town after its tour, the benefits continue to accrue. To watch how one of these communities used the exhibit, Journey Stories, visit the Oklahoma Humanities Council's YouTube page, OKHumanitiesCouncil and click on 2011 Outstanding OHC Project - Newkirk Journey Stories .

Host sites will be selected based on geographic location, evidence of strong community support, strength of proposed ideas for supplementary events, and physical event space. The only fee is $250 to secure the tour and OHC grant funds are available for supplementary programming.

Applications are due November 1, 2011. The Oklahoma Humanities Council will work with an organization every step of the way to insure a successful tour for that community.

About New Harmonies
Listen to America's music and hear the story of freedom. It's the story of people in a New World, places they have left behind, and ideas they have brought with them. It is the story of people who were already here, but whose world is remade. The distinct cultural identities of all of these people are carried in song -- both sacred and secular. Their music tracks the unique history of many peoples reshaping each other into one incredibly diverse and complex people -- Americans. Their music is the roots of American music.

The main beat of the exhibition is the on-going cultural process that has made America the birthplace of more music than any place on earth. The exhibition provides a fascinating, inspiring, and toe-tapping listen to the American story of multi-cultural exchange. The story is full of surprises about familiar songs, histories of instruments, the roles of religion and technology, and the continuity of musical roots from "Yankee Doodle Dandy" to the latest hip hop CD.

Host site applications are available online at www.okhumanities.org. For more information about this opportunity, please contact David Pettyjohn, OHC Assistant Director, at 405/235-0280 or via email david@okhumanities.org

About the Oklahoma Humanities Council
The Oklahoma Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote meaningful public engagement with the humanities—disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OHC provides teacher institutes, Smithsonian exhibits, reading groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. With a focus on K-12 education and community building, OHC engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

OKLAHOMA HUMANITIES COUNCIL ANNOUNCES AWARDEES

Oklahoma City, OK—The Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) announced the names of the 2012 awardees to be honored at its Oklahoma Humanities Awards dinner, March 22, 2012, at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.

"Under our mission to engage people with the humanities, it is fitting that we honor the people and organizations that are keeping culture—and our understanding of it—alive," said OHC Executive Director Ann Thompson."The work they do is often behind the scenes, so we’re happy to host this event to thank them for all the ways that make life and culture in Oklahoma more meaningful."

Following are the 2012 Oklahoma Humanities Awardees:

Dr. Alvin Turner, Dean Emeritus of the School of the Humanities and Social Studies at East Central University, will receive OHC’s highest honor, the Oklahoma Humanities Award, for his dedication to the humanities through his teaching, writing, and participation in public humanities programming. Dr. Turner, a former Chair of the OHC Board, is the author of numerous works including Letters from the Dust Bowl (2001) and The East Central University Story (2006). Dr. Turner has also been an active and popular scholar in OHC programs including Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma! and Territory Speakers.

The Oklahoma Gazette will receive the Community Support Award for its years of supporting cultural programming across the state. The Oklahoma Gazette provides valuable advertising space to non-profits seeking to promote their events, regularly publishes a calendar of free events, and features content that increases the public’s understanding of the humanities.

Dr. Bill Corbett, Professor of History & Chair at Northeastern State University, will receive the Public Humanities Award for his dedication to providing outstanding public programming across the state. Dr. Corbett has been an active and popular scholar for several OHC programs, including Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma! and Territory Speakers. Dr. Corbett also served as the state scholar for the Council’s first Museum on Main Street exhibit, Journey Stories.

Dr. Catherine Webster, Associate Professor of French at the University of Central Oklahoma, will receive the Community Leadership Award for the development and coordination of French cultural and educational programming for children and adults through L’Alliance Française d’Oklahoma City. The programs included film festivals, cultural classes, and book clubs.

Rector Johnson Middle School in Broken Bow will receive the Humanities in Education Award for the creation of the H³ (History Happens Here) Time Travelers’ Book Club. The program used literature to awaken students’ interest in history and students analyzed eight titles ranging from the Colonial period through World War II. Students also raised money throughout the year in order to take two trips to places of historical significance—Fort Smith, AR and a week-long trip to Vicksburg, MS and New Orleans, LA.

A Tapestry Tour of Five Historic Sites in Southwest Oklahoma will be recognized as Outstanding OHC Project, an award that honors public programming made possible by an OHC program or grant. Sponsored by the Southern Prairie Library System and the Museum of the Western Prairie in Altus, the program featured a bus tour of five sites in the area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The program also featured a video production of the tour and an educational brochure.

About the Oklahoma Humanities Council
The Oklahoma Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote meaningful public engagement with the humanities—disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OHC provides teacher institutes, Smithsonian exhibits, reading groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. With a focus on K-12 education and community building, OHC engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

** Digital images available by email **

LINCOLN ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS HONORED

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — The Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) honored winners of its 2011 Lincoln Essay Contest at a reception at the Oklahoma History Center on April 9. The annual contest was sponsored with support from BancFirst; Pottawatomie Telephone Company; and Sonic, America’s Drive-In. Panera Bread provided cookies for the reception.

Senator Clark Jolley was the featured speaker and discussed how history provides wisdom for today.Using Abraham Lincoln’s statement, “Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history,” Senator Jolley encouraged students to take responsibility for decisions they make and to learn from their own history as well as that of great men like Lincoln.

First place winners received a cash prize of $200 and their teachers received a $250 classroom grant. Second place winners received $150 and third place winners received $100. “More than 500 students competed in this year’s contest,” said OHC Program Officer Manda Overturf. “We congratulate all the students and teachers who took on this year’s challenging essay and drawing topics.”

Becky Rickard, Director of Archives and Administration for Sonic Corporation, presented Sonic gift cards to all the contest winners. This year’s winning students include:

Kindergarten through 1st Grade (Drawing category):
1st Place - Thomas Buchanan, Virginia Smith Elementary, Harrah
2nd Place - Makenzie McIntosh, Eufaula Elementary School
3rd Place - Luke Holman, Eufaula Elementary School

2nd through 3rd Grade (Drawing category):
1st Place - Nicole Childers, South Rock Creek Elementary, Shawnee
2nd Place - Dawson Arnett, South Rock Creek Elementary, Shawnee
3rd Place - Koy Harley, Central Elementary School, Idabel

4th through 6th Grade (Essay category):
1st Place - Jace Wallace, Elmore City-Pernell Elementary School
2nd Place - Mallorie Lane, Choctaw Middle School
3rd Place - Zach Pratt, Lincoln Elementary, Ardmore

7th through 9th Grade (Essay category):
1st Place - Kylie Trower, Owasso 8th Grade Center
2nd Place - Derik Daubenspeck, Cache Middle School
3rd Place - Jackie Marquez, Owasso 8th Grade Center

10th through 12th Grade (Essay category):
1st Place - Aileen Barton, Latta High School, Ada
2nd Place - Taylor Barrett, Lawton High School
3rd Place - Chendria Person, Lawton High School

About the Oklahoma Humanities Council

The Oklahoma Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide meaningful public engagement with the humanities—disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OHC provides teacher institutes, Smithsonian exhibits, reading groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. With a focus on K-12 education and community building, OHC engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

##### End #####

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) announced that Renae Perry, a senior at Stillwater High School, is this year's Oklahoma winner of the Poetry Out Loud recitation contest. Poetry Out Loud is a national arts and humanities education program for high school students designed to engage young people with poetry through memorization and recitation. OHC sponsors the state program in cooperation with the Oklahoma Arts Council. The national program is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation.

As the state winner, Perry will receive a $200 scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national finals, April 27-29, where more than $50,000 in scholarships will be awarded. Stillwater High School will receive a $500 stipend with which to purchase poetry books.

"The six state finalists were a very talented group who should be proud of their accomplishments." said Manda Overturf, OHC Program Officer and state coordinator for Poetry Out Loud. "I also congratulate the over 4,000 students who participated in the statewide school-level and regional competitions. Through the Poetry Out Loud
competition, students not only improve public speaking skills and build self-confidence but also become better acquainted with our literary heritage."

Six regional finalists competed at the Oklahoma state finals on March 5 at the Lyric Theatre at the Plaza in Oklahoma City. Each finalist recited poems selected from a vast anthology. Christianna Clark of Mount Saint Mary's High School in Oklahoma City won second place and a $100 scholarship, as well as $200 for her school to purchase poetry books. Other competitors included: Catherine Horton of Lawton High School; Hailey Taylor of New Lima High School; Christina Williams of Sapulpa High School; and Muhammad Habib of Union Intermediate High School, Tulsa.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2011
Contact: Traci Jinkens, Marketing and Development Director
Oklahoma Humanities Council
(405) 235-0280 * traci@okhumanitiescouncil.org

Students to Compete in State Finals

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - The Oklahoma Humanities Council announced that six regional finalists will compete for the state title at the Poetry Out Loud Oklahoma state finals at 10:30 a.m., March 5, at the Lyric Theater at the Plaza in Oklahoma City. The six finalists advanced as winners of four regional finals earlier this month, where twenty-four high schools competed. Regional finals were hosted by East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma City University, the Lawton Public Library, and the Thomas J. Harrison Pryor Public Library.

Poetry Out Loud is a national arts and humanities education program for high school students designed to engage young people with poetry through memorization and recitation. The Oklahoma Humanities Council sponsors the state program in cooperation with the Oklahoma Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Poetry Foundation. The project provides curriculum materials for teachers as well as workshops for teachers and students, at no cost, throughout the year.

Competing at the state finals will be Christianna Clark of Mt. St. Mary's High School in Oklahoma City; Hailey Taylor of New Lima High School; Renae Perry of Stillwater High School, Muhammad Habib of Union Intermediate High School in Tulsa; Christina Williams of Sapulpa High School; and Catherine Horton of Lawton High School. The state winner will receive a $200 scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D. C., to compete in the national finals where $50,000 in school prizes and student scholarships will be awarded. A $100 prize will be awarded to the second place winner and his or her school will also receive $200 for the purchase of poetry books.

As part of the finals event, Oklahoma State Poet Eddie Wilcoxen will give a reading of his poetry. A free reception to honor the state finalists will follow the awards presentation.

For more information about Poetry Out Loud or the state finals event, contact Manda Overturf at: (405) 235-0280 or manda@okhumanitiescouncil.org.

Eddie Wilcoxen Appointed State Poet Laureate

Oklahoma City, OK-The Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) announced that, just before leaving office, Governor Brad Henry appointed distinguished author, poet, and radio broadcaster Eddie D. Wilcoxen as State Poet Laureate for 2011 through 2012. OHC facilitates the poet laureate selection committee, which reviews statewide nominations on behalf of the governor, and coordinates the activities and appearances of the poet laureate throughout his/her term.

Eddie Wilcoxen is a career radio broadcaster with a popular morning show on KWHW in Altus. He has written seven volumes of poetry and one non-fiction work. His newest book, Faith, Hope and Poetry, is scheduled for a February release.

Wilcoxen is widely recognized for landscape design; his home gardens were featured in Oklahoma Gardener magazine. He is also a three-time national karate champion and established "Kihido Karate," a character-building curriculum emphasizing personal responsibility as the key to personal success. In 1996 he was designated an "Official Olympic Hero" and chosen to carry the Olympic Torch on its historic journey across the United States to Atlanta, Georgia.

On learning of his appointment, Wilcoxen remarked: "It was really a thrill to get the call announcing my appointment as Poet Laureate. Poetry has been such a source of comfort and inspiration to me that I can't help but feel honored to have the chance to visit and talk to people all across the state. I'm really looking forward to the adventure of sharing stories and poems."

OHC Executive Director Ann Thompson said that the Council is eager to increase awareness of Wilcoxen's work. "We are very excited to assist Mr. Wilcoxen as he begins his two-year term as Oklahoma's State Poet Laureate," said Thompson. "We are fortunate that the Oklahoma legislature designated this honorary position to engage citizens with poetry, a tradition that was established decades ago and continues to enrich our lives."

Information on Wilcoxen will soon be posted on the OHC website (http://www.okhumanitiescouncil.org), including examples of his poetry and an application to request Wilcoxen's appearance at poetry readings and community events.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2010
Contact: Traci Jinkens, Marketing and Development Director
Oklahoma Humanities Council
(405) 235-0280 • traci@okhumanitiescouncil.org

Oklahoma Humanities Council Announces Awardees

Oklahoma City, OK—The Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) announced the names of the 2011 awardees to be honored at its Oklahoma Humanities Awards dinner, February 24, 2011, at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.

“We want to honor the people and programs that enrich our state’s cultural life,” said OHC Executive Director Ann Thompson. “The occasion demonstrates the relevance of the humanities to modern society. By recognizing outstanding public programs like exhibits, book discussions, and classroom projects, we can showcase how the humanities expand our worldview and change people’s lives every day.”

Following are the 2011 Oklahoma Humanities Awardees:

Dr. Peter C. Rollins, Emeritus Professor of English and American/Film Studies, Oklahoma State University, will receive OHC’s highest honor, the Oklahoma Humanities Award, for his record of teaching, research, and outreach as a scholar in the humanities. Dr. Rollins is the author of several award-winning books, including two volumes honored with the National Popular Culture Association’s Ray and Pat Brown Award: Why We Fought: America’s Wars as Film and History (2008) and Hollywood’s White House: The American Presidency in Film and History (2003). His book Television Histories: Shaping Memory in the Media Age (2001) received the Best Book in American Culture Studies from the Popular Culture Association. Dr. Rollins’ awards include the 1998 Award for Distinguished Service, presented jointly by the American Culture Association and the Popular Culture Association. His most recent book is America Reflected: Language, Satire, Film, and the National Mind.

The Inasmuch Foundation will receive the Community Support Award for its years of sustained financial support of cultural programming across Oklahoma. The Foundation has supported organizations such as the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma City University, and the Lincoln County Historical Society in Chandler. Inasmuch has also been a long-term supporter of OHC programs, particularly its reading and discussion program, Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma!.

Dr. Sara Jane Richter, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, will receive the Public Humanities Award for her dedication to providing outstanding public programming across the state, particularly in the Oklahoma Panhandle region. Dr. Richter has been a popular scholar and presenter in several OHC-funded programs, including Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma! and the recent Dust Bowl Symposium in Guymon.

Cyndi Hulsey and Laura Raphael of the Tulsa City-County Library will receive the Community Leadership Award for creation and implementation of “Novel Talk: Smart Conversation for Serious Readers,” a program using literature to explore and understand the human condition. The program included a panel of experts to discuss issues such as pop culture, tragedy, and self identity, as well as a list of suggested readings to further explore the topic.

The American Indian Resource Center of the Tulsa City-County Library will be honored with the Humanities in Education Award for achievements in language preservation through development of its Native Language Supplemental Packet. These materials were developed for educators and students to facilitate learning introductory words and phrases, and to stimulate further interest in the Native language. The packet has been used successfully in the Sauk and Euchee language programs.

Newkirk Journey Stories will be recognized as Outstanding OHC Project, an award that honors public programming made possible by an OHC program or grant. The series of programs were held in conjunction with the Museum on Main Street traveling exhibit Journey Stories. Developed by Newkirk Main Street and the Newkirk Public Library, programs included local exhibits placed around Newkirk’s historic downtown, public lectures, and educational programs.

About the Oklahoma Humanities Council
The Oklahoma Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide meaningful public engagement with the humanities—disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OHC provides teacher institutes, Smithsonian exhibits, reading groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. With a focus on K-12 education and community building, OHC engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

OHC Grants More Than $71,000 to Fund Local Programs

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - At a recent meeting of its board of trustees, the Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) made awards and grant offers totaling more than $71,000 to cultural organizations presenting humanities programs. Funded projects include exhibits, discussions, and other cultural events. OHC accepts major grant applications twice a year to encourage public humanities programming at the local level.

OHC executive director Ann Thompson says that the Council has a long history of support for cultural and educational events across the state. "As the state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, we are mandated to grant federal funds to help foster humanities programming," said Thompson. "It is through these grants that we ensure Oklahomans have access to cultural events in their local communities. We're proud to help fund these outstanding projects that will serve thousands of people."

As individual programs are finalized, event information will be posted on the OHC calendar at: www.okhumanitiescouncil.org/calendar. Grant applications and guidelines are available online at: www.okhumanitiescouncil.org/grants.

Funded Projects and Offers:

Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma City--$7,500 to support the exhibit George Nelson: Architect, Writer, Designer, Teacher, the first comprehensive retrospective of the famous designer's work. The exhibit will include 120 objects, including chairs, benches, cabinets, as well as over 50 historical documents.

Pioneer Library System Foundation, Norman--$15,000 for The Pioneer Library System's Big Read 2011. The six-week event will promote reading and encourage discussion of The Things They Carried, by Tim O'Brien. Programs include a panel discussion, scholar-led presentations at each library, and a presentation by Tim O'Brien at the conclusion of the project.

Northeastern State University, Tahlequah--$2,500 for the 39th Annual Symposium on the American Indian. The theme is "Hands Across Nations: Smart Legacies-Strong Spirits" and will take place April 11-16, 2011 on the NSU campus. Programming includes panel discussions, the American Indian Symposium Film Series, workshops and the NSU Spring Powwow.

Jacobson Foundation, Norman--$5,000 for Weaving Traditions: For the Community and Its Native Population, a series of community programs to take place at the Historic Jacobson House. The programs include a course on Kiowa language; intertribal powwow songs and traditions; a Plains style beadwork class; and Southeast Woodlands basket weaving classes.

The City of Oklahoma City--$8,500 for Oklahoma City! Sooner or Later, an exhibit that explores the history of the City of Oklahoma City and the development of the city's form of government. The exhibit will be displayed in City Hall and will also feature two public lectures that explore the themes of the exhibit.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City--$10,000 for the exhibit Allen True's West, a traveling exhibit that explores the work of Allen Tupper True, regarded as Colorado's premier native-born artist of the early 20th century. The exhibit will feature three distinct phases of True's career: illustrator, easel painter, and mural painter.

University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond--$2,500 for Technology and the Humanities: How the Internet Creates Transdisciplinary Humanities, a yearly symposium aimed at introducing the humanities to a diverse audience. The event will features a presentation by Dr. Richard Miller, an internationally recognized expert on writing in the digital age and how technology relates to the humanities in the 21st century.

Southern Prairie Library System, Altus--$7,785 for Historical Tapestry Tour of Southwest Oklahoma, a video tour of five sites in Jackson County that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The program also features a live bus tour and a Historical Tapestry Tour Brochure that will be available at schools, libraries, and museums.

Cherokee National Historical Society, Tahlequah--$6,300 for the Cherokee Humanities Course, an interdisciplinary course that explores Cherokee beliefs, practices, and behaviors from historical to contemporary times. The course is led by traditional and political leaders, noted scholars, and tribal elders and will focus on Cherokee history, culture, and language.

Cherokee National Historical Society, Tahlequah--$6,750 for an exhibit that explores the history of the Cherokee Female Seminary, one of the first higher education institutes built for women west of the Mississippi River. The exhibit will further explore the educational system of the period as well as tell the stories of the students and faculty. The exhibit will also feature a computer generated recreation of the seminary, which stood in Park Hill from 1851-1872

About the Oklahoma Humanities Council
The Oklahoma Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide meaningful public engagement with the humanities-disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OHC provides teacher institutes, Smithsonian exhibits, reading groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. With a focus on K-12 education and community building, OHC engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

Ghosts, Goblins and the Humanities?

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—To raise funds for cultural programming across the state, the Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) is partnering with Barnes & Noble Booksellers to host a bookfair on Saturday, October 23rd, 9 a.m.-11 p.m., at the 6100 N. May Avenue store in Oklahoma City, OK. Events will include a children’s story time, a forum discussion, and more.

The event will coincide with the store’s official Halloween celebration, where employees will be in costume. For every sale made with a special bookfair voucher, Barnes & Noble will contribute a percentage to the Oklahoma Humanities Council. Vouchers are available online at:
http://www.okhumanitiescouncil.org.

Bookfair events include:

11 a.m. Saturday Storytime: Several OHC board members and friends will be in the children’s area to read stories to the young and the young-at-heart.

12 p.m. Note: The book signing and reading with author Rilla Askew has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond the host’s control.

1 p.m. Humanities Forum: OHC staff members will host a community conversation in the Newsstand section to discuss a timely topic viewed through the perspective of the humanities.

2 p.m. Will Rogers (portrayed by Doug Watson): The Oklahoma legend will stroll through the store to greet visitors, share humorous insights, and throw a rope trick or two.

The Council’s bookfair voucher will be honored nationwide at local Barnes & Noble stores on October 23rd. To support the Council online, visit http://www.barnesandnoble.com/bookfairs from October 23rd through October 28th and enter the bookfair ID 10245496 at checkout. Items not eligible for bookfair sales include Barnes & Noble memberships, gift cards, textbooks, magazine subscriptions, or video games.

For information on the Barnes & Noble Bookfair, call the Oklahoma Humanities Council at (405) 235-0280 or visit http://www.okhumanitiescouncil.org.

About the Oklahoma Humanities Council
The Oklahoma Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide meaningful public engagement with the humanities—disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OHC provides teacher institutes, Smithsonian exhibits, reading groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. With a focus on K-12 education and community building, OHC engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

OHC Appoints New Trustees

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — The Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) has appointed four new members to its Board of Trustees: Oklahoma Secretary of State Susan Savage, Dr. Jerry Vannatta of the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Mary Brodnax of the University of Central Oklahoma, and Dr. William Bryans of Oklahoma State University. OHC is governed by a 24-member Board of Trustees comprised of private citizens, academic scholars, and governor’s appointees.

“Our Board of Trustees is an integral part of our work,” said OHC Executive Director Ann Thompson. “Their collective experience in business, academia, and public service brings valuable insight to our programming and strategic planning. Without these representatives from across the state, we could not accomplish all the work we do, nor do it so effectively.”

New Trustees:

Susan Savage was appointed Secretary of State by Governor Brad Henry in 2003. She served as the Mayor of Tulsa from 1992 to 2002. Her awards include the Oklahoma Human Rights Award and the 2009 Peace and Dialogue Award for Government Service from Oklahoma City University and the Institute of Interfaith Dialogue. She has been inducted into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Municipal League Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials. Secretary Savage has served on the executive and advisory boards for many organizations, including: Southern Regional Education Board, Oklahoma Academy for State Goals, Oklahoma City United Way, Oklahoma Nature Conservancy, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, and Creative Oklahoma. She earned a B.A. from Arcadia University in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Jerry Vannatta is John Flack Burton Professor of Humanities in Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, and former Executive Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Oklahoma. His teaching awards include five Aesculapian Awards from medical students, the Edgar W. Young Lifetime Achievement Award, the Stanton L. Young Master Teacher Award, and the Humanism in Medicine Award from the Association of American Medical Colleges. He serves on the board of trustees for Presbyterian Health Foundation and Oklahoma City University.

Dr. Mary Brodnax is Professor of Humanities at the University of Central Oklahoma. She earned her B.A. from Vanderbilt and M.A. and Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University. Her honors and awards include Provost’s Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching Award and the Purple Chalk Award from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has served on the College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Teaching Award Committee, as President of the UCO Faculty Senate, and President of the DaVinci Institute.

Dr. William Bryans is Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies for the Department of History at Oklahoma State University. He received his B.A. and M.A. from Colorado State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming. Dr. Bryans serves on the boards of Preservation Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Museums Association. His professional memberships include the Organization of American Historians, American Association for State and Local History, National Council on Public History, Western History Association, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Mountain-Plains Museum Association.

About the Oklahoma Humanities Council
The Oklahoma Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide meaningful public engagement with the humanities—disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OHC provides teacher institutes, Smithsonian exhibits, reading groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. With a focus on K-12 education and community building, OHC engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2010
Contact: Traci Jinkens, Marketing and Development Director
Oklahoma Humanities Council
(405) 235-0280 • traci@okhumanitiescouncil.org

NPR’s Susan Stamberg to Speak

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Susan Stamberg, journalist and correspondent for National Public Radio, will be the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) and the Oklahoma Museums Association (OMA), 10:45 a.m., September 23 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. Stamberg will address the topic “Why History Museums Matter.” The lecture is funded in part by a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council and is free and open to the public.

Stamberg is the first woman to anchor a national nightly news program and has won every major award in broadcasting, including induction into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame and the Radio Hall of Fame. As one of public radio’s most popular broadcasters, Stamberg is well-known for her conversational style, intelligence, and knack for finding an interesting story. She is the author of two books chronicling her time at NPR: Every Night at Five and TALK: NPR’s Susan Stamberg Considers All Things.

The joint meeting of AASLH and OMA Museums is an opportunity for libraries, archive professionals, historical societies, tribal cultural centers, and other related organizations to network and learn new techniques. Over 80 sessions and workshops will give insight on developing, delivering, and marketing history.

For information on the Susan Stamberg lecture or attending the conference, contact the Oklahoma Museums Association at (405) 424.7757 or visit: http://www.okmuseums.org/annual-conference.

About the Oklahoma Humanities Council

The Oklahoma Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide meaningful public engagement with the humanities—disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OHC provides teacher institutes, Smithsonian exhibits, reading groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. With a focus on K-12 education and community building, OHC engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

Susan Stamberg’s lecture is funded in part by a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions or recom-mendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the NEH or OHC, its Board of Trustees, or staff.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2010
Contact: Traci Jinkens, Marketing and Development Director
Oklahoma Humanities Council
(405) 235-0280 • traci@okhumanitiescouncil.org

Nominations Open for 2011 Oklahoma Humanities Awards

Oklahoma City, OK—The Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) is accepting nominations for the 2011 Oklahoma Humanities Awards, which will be presented at a formal event in February at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. The annual event honors outstanding contributions to the humanities in Oklahoma. The deadline for nominations is September 1.

OHC executive director Ann Thompson stated that the annual awards demonstrate how Oklahomans are enriched by humanities education, conversation, exhibits, and other events. “This is the time that we acknowledge outstanding contributions that enhance our quality of life and help us understand our place in the world,” said Thompson.

Nominations are encouraged for humanities projects that took place between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010 in the following categories:

· Oklahoma Humanities Award: honoring an individual who has contributed significantly to the understanding of the humanities in Oklahoma.
· Public Humanities Award: honoring an individual scholar responsible for outstanding public humanities programming in a library, museum, historical society, or other cultural institution.
· Community Leadership Award: honoring an institution or individual that creates or participates in a community-based program promoting public understanding of ideas and issues related to the humanities.
· Community Support Award: honoring a business, foundation, or individual that has contributed critical financial support to public humanities programming in Oklahoma.
· Humanities in Education Award: honoringa K-12 administrator, instructor, tribal education program, or school district that exhibits or supports excellence in humanities education.
· Outstanding OHC Project: recognizing an outstanding humanities project made possible by an Oklahoma Humanities Council program or grant.

Award recipients are selected by a committee of the Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma Humanities Council. OHC staff will work with awardees and nominators in the production of videos that will be presented at the awards dinner.

Awardees for 2010 included H.E. “Gene” Rainbolt, Devon Energy Cooperation, the Lincoln County Historical Society, the Cherokee Nation Education Program, and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. To view videos of the 2010 awardees, visit http://www.youtube.com/OKHumanitiesCouncil.

Nomination forms and guidelines are posted on the OHC website: http://www.okhumanitiescouncil.org/oklahoma-humanities-awards. For additional information, contact OHC Assistant Director David Pettyjohn: david@okhumanitiescouncil.org or (405) 235-0280.

About the Oklahoma Humanities Council
The Oklahoma Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide meaningful public engagement with the humanities—disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OHC provides teacher institutes, Smithsonian exhibits, reading groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. With a focus on K-12 education and community building, OHC engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

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Humanities Council Funding Assists State Agencies

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — The Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) has awarded $80,000 to state agencies whose humanities programming might be in peril due to budget cuts. The awards went to four agencies: the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA), the Native American Cultural and Education Authority, the Oklahoma Arts Council, and the Oklahoma Historical Society.

OHC awarded the funds in an attempt to maintain high quality cultural education opportunities in a climate where state funds and private donations are down. OHC Chair Ed Barth stated, “These funds represent an increase in the general support grant that OHC received this fiscal year from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Rather than incorporate the increase into our general operating budget, the funds were made available to agencies that have a statewide audience and substantive programming. We appreciate the valuable partnerships we enjoy with other organizations as they carry out their own critical missions.”

OHC funding will be used to support a variety of programs:

OETA will use funds for broadcasting three program series, “The American Experience,” “Gallery,” and “History Detectives.” These programs educate viewers on history and cultural issues that shape our state and country.

The Native American Cultural and Education Authority will use its award to enhance educational outreach, including tribal stories which are gathered and shared with the public to promote a better understanding of ourselves and the history of our state.

The Oklahoma Arts Council will use OHC funds for “Teaching with Capitol Art,” a program that uses the murals and artwork of the State Capitol to tell the story of Oklahoma history. The program brings students from across the state to the Capitol for this meaningful educational experience.

The Oklahoma Historical Society will use the OHC award to further its efforts to bring the unique story of the steamboat Heroine to the public. The Heroine sank in the Red River in 1838 and information from its excavation will be made available through the historical society’s outreach program.

About the Oklahoma Humanities Council

The Oklahoma Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide meaningful public engagement with the humanities—disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OHC provides teacher institutes, Smithsonian exhibits, reading groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. With a focus on K-12 education and community building, OHC engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

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Humanities Forum Discussions Now Traveling the State

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — The Oklahoma Humanities Council’s new Humanities Forum program is literally “the talk of the town” and is available to communities across Oklahoma.

Humanities Forum brings people together to talk about contemporary issues. The emphasis is on the public exchange of ideas and perspectives— public, as in “everyone is welcome,” and exchange, as in “everyone offers ideas and opinions” and the whole group benefits from a better understanding of each other and our world.

As a springboard for conversation, participants are asked to read a short humanities text. Humanities disciplines include history, literature, jurisprudence, ethics, language, and philosophy. Discussions are moderated by a scholar-facilitator to ensure a productive atmosphere where differing ideas are treated with mutual respect.

Communities are encouraged to apply to host this free, exciting and thought-provoking program! Guidelines and applications are available online at: http://www.okhumanitiescouncil.org/humanities-forum.

For information, call the Oklahoma Humanities Council at (405) 235-0280.

About the Oklahoma Humanities Council

The Oklahoma Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide meaningful public engagement with the humanities—disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OHC provides teacher institutes, Smithsonian exhibits, reading groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. With a focus on K-12 education and community building, OHC engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

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May 14, 2010

Contact: Traci Jinkens, Marketing and Development Director
Oklahoma Humanities Council
(405) 235-0280 • traci@okhumanitiescouncil.org

OHC Grants More Than $77,000 to Fund Local Programs

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — At a recent meeting of its board of trustees, the Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) made awards and grant offers totaling more than $77,000 to cultural organizations presenting humanities programs. Funded projects include exhibits, discussions, a teacher institute, a television documentary, and other cultural events. OHC accepts major grant applications twice a year to encourage public humanities programming at the local level.

OHC executive director Ann Thompson says that the Council has a long history of support for cultural and educational events across the state. “As the state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, we are mandated to grant federal funds to help foster humanities programming,” said Thompson. “It is through these grants that we ensure Oklahomans have access to cultural events in their local communities. We’re proud to help fund these outstanding projects that will serve thousands of people.”

As individual programs are finalized, event information will be posted on the OHC calendar at: http://www.okhumanitiescouncil.org/calendar. Grant applications and guidelines are available online at: http://www.okhumanitiescouncil.org/grants.

Funded Projects and Offers:

Five Civilized Tribes Museum, Muskogee – $15,000 to support the Five Tribes Story Conference, a two-day event that will include cultural performances and readings, followed by academic-focused panels and public discussions.

Cameron University, Lawton – $3,120.50 to support a public forum, “Alternative Energy: Promoting and Realizing the New Energy Frontier Today.” A panel of experts will discuss Oklahoma’s energy past and future and explore a deeper understanding of cultural and historical characteristics of the Southwest Oklahoma region related to issues of energy policy.

Kansas Public Telecommunications Service, Wichita, KS – $5,000 to conduct interviews and filming for the documentary series “Lost Nation: The Ioway,” which examines the loss of a unique Native American culture and chronicles present-day efforts by tribal members to preserve and restore their culture.

Oklahoma Arts Institute, Norman – $8,500 to develop and print a walking tour booklet that informs visitors of the significance of paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other works of art at the Quartz Mountain Arts and Conference Center.

Oklahoma Center for Arts Education, Edmond – $4,900 to support the annual “American Indian Learners” workshop and conference series. This year’s conference will focus on technology and how it can enhance the educational experiences of Native American students. The conference strives to increase awareness and understanding about Native American cultures among non-Native students and educators.

Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City – $7,700 to host poet and former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts Dana Gioia as the keynote speaker at the McBride Lecture for Faith and Literature. Events will include a workshop on the Poetry Out Loud program for teachers and a public lecture.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma City – $10,000 to mount the exhibit La Serenissima, which will feature 65 works of 18th-century Venetian art. The exhibition will survey painters and printmakers and their influence on later artistic movements in Europe, including 19th-century impressionism. Oklahoma City will be the sole venue for the exhibit.

Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, Oklahoma City – $8,500 to support the Art 365 project, engaging artists, curators, and the public with contemporary art as a way to draw meaning from contemporary life and reflect creatively about the world. The project will include an exhibit, a catalogue on artwork and artists, and public programming.

Oral Roberts University, Tulsa – $5,000 to present a teacher institute entitled “At the Intersection of Race, Gender, and Culture: Oklahoma’s Black Wall Street, Latina Women, and Diverse Faces of American Immigration.” The institute will explore a deeper understanding of Oklahoma’s cultural diversity and encourage teachers to develop teaching methods that cultivate race, gender, and cultural awareness in curriculum.

Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art, Tulsa – $5,000 to produce the exhibit Breaking the Glass: Wedding Traditions in Oklahoma Cultures, which will compare the traditions of Jewish weddings to those of other diverse faiths and people who settled in Oklahoma. The exhibit will examine customs, gifts, wedding attire, jewelry, and wedding rituals from Christian faiths, Islamic traditions, and Eastern religions.

University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), Edmond – $5,000 to fabricate Territorial Normal School of Oklahoma, an exhibit that explores the early years of UCO as a training site for public school teachers in Oklahoma Territory, its relevance to the Edmond community, and the importance of “Old North,” the National Register structure that was the first building dedicated to higher learning in Oklahoma Territory.

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Contact: Carla Walker, Director of Communications                               

Oklahoma Humanities Council

(405) 235-0280 • carla@okhumanitiescouncil.org

** Digital images available by email **

2010 Oklahoma Humanities Awards

Oklahoma City, OK—The Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) honored six awardees at the annual Oklahoma Humanities Awards on March 4. Awardees and guests enjoyed a formal dinner at the Oklahoma History Center and a video presentation highlighting the work of the Council and the awardees’ accomplishments. H.E. “Gene” Rainbolt received OHC’s highest honor, the Oklahoma Humanities Award, for his contributions to expanding educational opportunities in Oklahoma.

“The individuals and programs selected for this year’s awards are truly remarkable,” said OHC executive director Ann Thompson. “Their passion and creativity, and the impact these projects have on local communities, is inspiring. The Oklahoma Humanities Awards bring attention to those efforts and to the people and organizations that are working to provide cultural opportunities in our state.”

Following are the 2010 honorees:

H.E. “Gene” Rainbolt – Oklahoma Humanities Award

Gene Rainbolt was honored with the Oklahoma Humanities Award for his dedication to expanding educational opportunities among Oklahomans. Rainbolt’s leadership is demonstrated through his lifelong association with organizations such as the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, Leadership Oklahoma, Mabee-Gerrer Museum, Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Oklahoma. He also co-founded the Oklahoma Symposium, a humanities-based event modeled on the national Renaissance weekend where community leaders, intellectuals, and citizens come together to share ideas.

Cherokee Nation Education Program – Humanities in Education Award

The Cherokee Nation Education Program was recognized for its achievements in preserving the Cherokee language. The program targets young people through the Cherokee Nation Immersion School, where all classes are conducted in the Cherokee language, and the Cherokee National Youth Choir. Youth Choir members increase awareness of Cherokee culture through CD recordings and performances across the country.

Mel Chatman & Jamie Sullenger – Community Leadership Award

Mel Chatman and Jamie Sullenger were honored for their contributions to the Lena Sawner Exhibit at the Lincoln County Historical Society Museum of Pioneer History in Chandler. Chatman researched the life of Lena Sawner, a Chandler educator who dedicated her life to expanding opportunities for African-American children. As curator of the exhibit, Sullenger organized Chatman’s collection, assembled over a twenty-year period, and produced a complementary video and educational programming.

Devon Energy Corporation – Community Support Award

The nomination for Devon Energy Corporation came jointly from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, and the Oklahoma Heritage Association. These organizations credit Devon’s financial support as critical in leveraging other corporate funding, which has been used to support school education programs; world-class exhibitions; public lectures; film screenings; publications on Oklahoma history and people; and more.

Harlem Renaissance Exhibit, Oklahoma City Museum of Art – Outstanding OHC Project

Harlem Renaissance, an exhibition at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, explored developments in African-American art during the 1920s and 1930s. Curator Alison Amick assembled works from collections across the country and tied the national theme to Oklahoma City people and events of the same period. It was the museum’s first exhibition focusing on African-American art in over twenty years and was made possible by a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council.

About the Oklahoma Humanities Council

The Oklahoma Humanities Council is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide meaningful public engagement with the humanities—disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OHC provides teacher institutes, Smithsonian exhibits, reading groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. With a focus on K-12 education and community building, OHC engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

Event Sponsors: BancFirst; Chesapeake Energy; Devon Energy Corporation; National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH); OG&E; The Oklahoman; Jeannette and Dick Sias. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of NEH or the Oklahoma Humanities Council, its Board of Trustees, or staff. 

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