Congratulations to our newest Mini Grant awardees! The Council is pleased to announce 6 awards from the May Mini Grant cycle totaling $12,000 to the following public humanities projects.
Individual Researcher Grant
David H. Wells, $2,000 to Echoing Histories
Funds support the editing phase of a documentary film exploring the complex social identity and art of scholar and photographer Annu Palakunnathu Matthew. An external scholar who specializes in South Asia studies and a focus group made of Rhode Island citizens provide independent feedback for editing the film’s rough cut.
Mini Grants to Nonprofit
Adopt a Doctor, $2,000 to Carve/Paint: Two Black Artists at the Racial Divide: Bannister & Prophet in Providence
Funds support a panel discussion exploring the role of race in the life and artistic productions of two Black Rhode Island artists: Edward M. Bannister and Nancy Elizabeth Prophet. A pop-up exhibit at the Providence Art Club, featuring the two artists’ works, compliments the panel discussion.
Firstworks, $2,000 to Qyrq Qyz & Forty Girls: Bardic Storytellers from Central Asia
Funds support a panel discussion exploring the work of the storytelling troupe Qyrq Qyz who draw on themes, stories, and performance art of peoples rooted in the steppes of Central Asia, a bastion of Islamic culture and community. Local scholars in musicology, history, and activism help make the work accessible and relevant to local Rhode Island audiences.
Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts, $2,000 to TAPA/ArtsLiteracy Curriculum Development Project
Funds support the development of an interdisciplinary ArtsLiteracy curriculum at Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts that explores how people address intuition, think critically, reason, and construct identity. Utilizing two core works: Thinking Fast and Slow and Between the World and Me, teachers and scholars develop a grade-wide curriculum that blends English language arts learning with music and performance.
South County History Center, $2,000 to Eternal Rest: Death, Mourning, and Memorials Program Series
Funds support four public events exploring historical practices of mourning, burial, and memorialization in Rhode Island. The project connects scholars, archeologists, reenactors, and historic gravesites with the public for a collective reflection on the historic means and methods of interment and preservation of memory.
West Broadway Neighborhood Association, $2,000 to Learning About Thomas S. and Vincent Luongo Memorial Square
Funds support the development of four historic panels that detail the history and legacy of Thomas S. and Vincent Luongo Square on Providence’s West Side. Stationed at the center of the square, the panels illuminate the culture and experiences of the historic square to neighbors, visitors, and business patrons alike.
