The Humanities Council is proud to announce a total of $8,000 awarded through the following four mini grants from our 2020 February grant cycle to organizations and individuals working to expand the ways Rhode Islanders engage with culture by exploring the stories of veterans, LGBTQ leaders and activists, designers, and Columbian-Americans building community in the Ocean State.
Organizations
Newport Restoration Foundation, Colonial Conversations: Why Did Newport Furniture Matter in the Past, and Why Does It Matter Today? – $2,000
Funds support a symposium focused on the cultural impact of Colonial Newport furniture. Through lectures, a pop-up exhibit, and a walking tour, public audiences will have the opportunity to understand Newport’s unique contributions to the development of American decorative arts.
Providence Public Library, Queer Stories Project – $2,000
Funds support a research project documenting the histories and lived experiences of LGBTQ leaders and activists in the state. Connecting youth with elders, the project transfers knowledge to the next generation via oral history collection and intergenerational conversation. Collected stories are permanently archived at the Providence Public Library.
Rhode Island Latino Arts, How the Colombian Community Saved the Textile Mills in Central Falls – $2,000
Funds support a community conversation series in Central Falls that explores the history of the Colombian community in Rhode Island’s smallest city. The discussions result in the collection and archiving of oral histories related to Colombian-American immigration, labor, and community-making.
Individuals
Seth Tourjee, Legacy – $2,000
Funds support research exploring the experiences, death, and trauma of Henry C. Anderson, a Spanish-American war veteran. Through reviewing historic media, a personal journal, and other material culture, the project sheds light on the impact of war and the history of veteran services.
