Northampton / Massachusetts / United States
About Mass Humanities Established in 1974 as the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities ( NEH ), Mass Humanities is a programming and grant-making organization that receives support from the NEH and the Massachusetts Cultural Council as well as private sources. Mass Humanities is governed by a volunteer board of 25 directors who reflect the social and geographic diversity of Massachusetts. Approximately half the board represents the general public ( business, labor, the professions, cultural affairs, and community life ) and half are humanities professionals ( college faculty, K-12 teachers, independent scholars, museum and library professionals, and writers ). Six directors are appointed by the governor. Mass Humanities supports programs that use history, literature, philosophy, and the other humanities disciplines to enhance and improve civic life throughout the Commonwealth. Mass Humanities regularly identifies areas of special interest or concern and develops initiatives aimed at increasing program activity in those areas. Our current thematic initiative, "Liberty and Justice for All, " invites proposals for public programs that explore the interplay of these two fundamental principles of American political life. "Liberty" and "justice" may seem to be well understood philosophical touchstones of our democracy, but they yield, when examined further, significant controversy and opportunity for reflection. Previous Mass Humanities initiatives have focused on the interpretation of Native American history and culture in New England museums and historical societies, the contributions of women to public life in Massachusetts ; and humanistic perspectives on the millennium. What are Mass Humanities Priorities Mass Humanities gives highest priority to projects that apply the humanities to current issues, deepening public understanding of these issues and thereby enhancing civic life. Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities 66 Bridge Street, MA 01060 Northampton ( 413 ) 584-8440 * Fax ( 413 ) 584-8454
