Indiana Humanities

Have you registered to attend the free Fairbanks Symposium on April 9? The event will celebrate its tenth year at the University of Indianapolis with panel discussions, a buffet lunch, and an INconversation between two keynote speakers. Who will be the keynotes this year, you ask? The INconversation will feature David Campbell, a national expert and founding director of the Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy at the University of Notre Dame, and Greg Shufeldt, professor of political science at the University of Indianapolis. Campbell and Shufeldt will center their discussion on how the “God Gap” shapes the current landscape of American politics. Learn more and save your seat here: https://lnkd.in/g7fnXxjN

On Saturday, some of our team had the opportunity to attend a celebration honoring President and CEO of Indiana Landmarks Marsh Davis, who'll be retiring in April. From the 80s to the early 2000s, Davis worked as a field surveyor and then as director of community services for Indiana Landmarks before serving as the organization's leader. As part of the festivities, Indiana Landmarks unveiled a commissioned portrait of Davis by artist Russell Recchion. We're grateful for Davis' leadership and wish him a wonderful retirement next month!

?? Call for Proposals: Community-Based Archives Mellon Foundation invites community-based archives in the US and its territories to submit applications for general operating support. These archives serve to affirm their community’s identity, to combat patterns of misinformation, and to provide a trusted environment for the preservation of community traditions, art forms, and languages. See the upcoming key deadlines: ? Registration deadline: March 12 at 5pm ET ? Application deadline: March 28 at 5pm ET Learn more about the call at on.mellon.org/4gNPYgQ ?? Michael Tyrone Delaney for Mellon Foundation

Welcome to the family! We just wanted to take a moment to recognize two humanities councils that have received official designation from the National Endowment for the Humanities in the past several months. Big congrats to Humanities Iowa and the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands for becoming their communities' leading organizations for supporting and funding humanities programming! We’re looking forward to learning from them and watching them flourish this year. Across the nation, state humanities councils (like us) bring people from all backgrounds together to explore our shared experience and ask questions about what it means to be human through grants, programs, and storytelling. We look forward to seeing how this distinction will enrich their cultural and historical identities.

For the past few weeks, members of our team have been sharing stories of the impact of public humanities on communities across our state with Indiana’s congressional representatives at home and in Washington, D.C. We're always proud to talk about the vital role our grants and programs play in connecting neighbors, seeding economic development, inspiring civic pride, engaging people in the history of their communities and more. Federal funds have a catalytic role in the work we do alongside our partners. Thanks to Congressman Jim Baird, Congresswoman Erin Houchin, Congressman Mark Messmer, Congressman Frank J. Mrvan, Congressman Jefferson Shreve, Congressman Marlin Stutzman, Congressman Rudy Yakym, and staff from the offices of Congressman André Carson and Senator Todd Young for meeting with us. Special gratitude to board members Katie Glick and Jerry Torr for joining us in the nation’s capital to advocate for the humanities.

Another year, another inspiring group of high schoolers. ??? Over the weekend, we hosted the 2025 state competition for Poetry Out Loud at the Indiana Historical Society, in partnership with the Indiana Arts Commission. During this special event, high school students from across the state recited poetry from memory in front of a panel of judges from the local literary community, in the hopes of moving on to nationals. We'd like to congratulate Eve-Marie Baxter for making first place, as well as runner-up Jehanna Fisher and the rest of the participants who brought their best to the competition! This national arts education program from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Poetry Foundation & Poetry Magazine encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students. It helps students master public speaking skills and build self-confidence, while also learning more about both classical and contemporary poetry. See more photos: https://lnkd.in/gCSrqACB

Did you know that some of us are at the Capitol this week? A few Indiana Humanities staff and board members are in Washington, D.C. to share with legislators about how the humanities can strengthen local economies, connect people, and enrich the lives of all Hoosiers. Indiana Humanities is just one of the many state and territorial councils taking part in Humanities on the Hill. We appreciate our representatives and their teams for taking the time to chat with us, and we look forward to sharing our stories of statewide impact with them.

How do civics and religion intersect? Join the University of Indianapolis and Indiana Humanities to explore that question and more during the 10th annual Richard M. Fairbanks Symposium on Leadership on April 9! From 9:30am to 2:30pm, the free event will consider topics like how religion has formed Indiana's civic fabric and the relationship between personal faith and civic leadership. Don't worry, we'll break for a buffet lunch. Plus, this year our keynote speakers will be national expert, author, and founding director of the Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy David Campbell and the University of Indianapolis’s Greg Shufeldt, who will talk about the "God Gap." RSVP for the public program today: https://lnkd.in/g7fnXxjN

Are you a history buff looking to give back? The Indiana Historical Society is seeking judges for Indiana's 2025 National History Day regional competitions, especially Hoosiers who could judge for the upcoming contests in northern Indiana. Judges do not have to have any particular knowledge of history or specific subject matter. Competitions take place on Saturdays from mid-February to mid-March and judges are needed from about 8am to 2pm. Consider signing up here: https://lnkd.in/gXQ7QZgF

America’s 250th anniversary is only one year away, and 250 Con is the latest national event organized by the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) to learn how to join its efforts. During 250 Con, you can learn about national and state planning opportunities, identify actionable ways to participate, and join fellow practitioners in generating enthusiasm for the once-in-a-generation event. Learn more about the virtual event on Feb. 27-28 here: https://lnkd.in/dSnZSQXv