The Alabama Humanities Foundation brings culture to our state
The Alabama Humanities Foundation was founded in 1974 as a vehicle for awarding grants to grassroots organizations in Alabama. As an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Alabama Humanities Foundation encourages and promotes appreciation of literature, history, law, philosophy and the arts through programs, events and grants to help others discover and share the meanings of life found through the humanities.
The Alabama Humanities Foundation’s purpose is to connect Alabama’s communities through engagement in the humanities, tailoring its programs and funding projects to address needs and foster learning, understanding and appreciation of our people, communities, and cultures.
AHF offers all Alabamians opportunities to explore the humanities through funded public programs such as seminars, workshops, lectures, exhibitions, documentary videos and films. Alabama Humanities Foundation is the primary source of grants for public humanities programs.
Projects include the Alabama History and Heritage Festival, Theatre in the Mind and – co-sponsored with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival – lectures, outreach and teacher workshops.
AHF grants are awarded to non-profit community organizations to support a wide range of public humanities projects. Russellville and Franklin County schools, libraries, museums, the arts and other organizations have received their grants.Americans one-of-a-kind access to prestigious Smithsonian exhibitions and first-rate educational programs. Most importantly, Museum on Main Street gives rural museums a chance to demonstrate their enormous talents and their meaningful contributions to small town life.programs and projects like the Alabama History and Heritage Festival, Theatre in the Mind, co-sponsored with Alabama Shakespeare Festival to feature lectures, outreach and teacher workshops.AHF created the Road Scholars speakers bureau, which has scholars crisscrossing the state to deliver free presentations to cultural and community organizations like libraries and historical commissions.
programs and projects like the Alabama History and Heritage Festival, Theatre in the Mind, co-sponsored with Alabama Shakespeare Festival to feature lectures, outreach and teacher workshops.Another service offered by AHF is the Road Scholars Speakers Bureau that travels the state to deliver free presentations to cultural and community organizations like libraries and historical commissions.
AHF also partners with the Smithsonian Institute that sponsors Museum on Main Street. This program brings rural Americans access to the prestigious Smithsonian exhibits and educational programs. The program also provides an opportunity for people to demonstrate their talents and make contributions to small towns.
AHF publishes the magazine “Mosaic” biannually, which is free of charge. The publication’s purpose is to educate on humanities topics, provide resources and information about humanities events and instill pride and excitement in all Alabamians concerning the rich humanities in our state.
For more information on The Alabama Humanities Foundation visit www.alabamahumantities.org.
By Susie Malone
