Explore the Mass Humanities funded projects awarded from 2000 to the present. Browse by grant type, city, region or keyword. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive news when grants are awarded.
ROE Reproductive Justice Education and Dialogue Across Difference TrainingWAM Theatremore
Support for training on reproductive justice and engaging in dialogue across differences, to prepare WAM staff to facilitate post-show discussions, develop a post-production community dialogue event, and create playbill and educational lobby materials.
Lee, MA, Berkshire County (Berkshire)
project director: Kristen van Ginhoven
awarded on: 2019-12-13
amount: $10,000
The Day History Marched Down Our StreetsArlington Historical Societymore
A permanent exhibit about the site of the most intense fighting on the first day of the American Revolution.
Arlington, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Sara Lundberg
awarded on: 2019-06-14
amount: $7,500
Robbins House Family Tree ExhibitThe Robbins Housemore
Creation of an expansive "family tree" exhibit.
Concord, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Liz Clayton
awarded on: 2019-06-14
amount: $7,500
Beyond Jazz: History of the 19th-Century Gatherings and Cultural Expresssion at the Boston African Meeting HouseMuseum of African American Historymore
Support for an exhibit and lectures making the historical connection between people gathering socially and people organizing for political change.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Chandra Harrington
awarded on: 2019-06-14
amount: $6,500
Exile and Community: The Life of Carola DomarCenter For Independent Documentarymore
A distribution grant for a documentary focused on the life of a Jewish teen living in Germany in the 1930s who was gradually targeted by the Nazis and eventually escaped to Britain and then to Massachusetts. The project produces a trailer and a curriculum guide, and includes 6 screenings, in order to build outreach to middle- and high school teachers.
Walpole, MA, Norfolk County (Southeast)
project director: Susan Orleans Rieder
awarded on: 2019-06-14
amount: $8,750
To do the good I expected: Robert Roberts - Domestic Servant, Author, AbolitionistGore Placemore
Development of a tour focused on the life, writing, and activism of Robert Roberts, a leader in Boston's free black community and a servant at Gore Place. The tour emphasizes the value of labor over the denigration of service and explores the relationship between work, life, and activism, and the challenge of trying to change the world while also surviving in it.
Waltham, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Susan Robertson
awarded on: 2019-03-15
amount: $7,000
Sweet Souls: Voices from the Margaret Fuller House in CambridgeCambridge Historical Societymore
Funding to conduct and interpret 12 oral histories with affiliates of Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, a 112-year-old settlement house, adding under-documented narratives into the archives that address the relationship between providers and patrons in the settlement house movement, and reflect on how such settlement houses were transformed by patrons who became providers.
Cambridge, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)
project director: Marieke Van Damme
awarded on: 2019-03-15
amount: $7,500
Beyond the Stage: Post-Production Discussions of Patrick Gabridge's Mount Auburn PlaysMount Auburn Cemeterymore
Support for moderated conversations following a series of one-act plays written by Patrick Gabridge.
Cambridge, MA, Middlesex County (Greater Boston)
project director: Jennifer Gilbert
awarded on: 2018-12-14
amount: $3,000
Sonar to GPS: Exploring the Evolution and Impact of Technology on New Bedford's Fishing IndustryNew Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, Inc.more
A project exploring how changing technologies have affected the fishing community in New Bedford that includes archival research, ethnographic interviews with members of the fishing community, two public exhibits, six panel discussions, and MA standards-based curricula for elementary and secondary school children.
New Bedford, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: Laura Orleans
awarded on: 2018-12-14
amount: $6,960
A Dual Legacy: Nathaniel Hawthorne and The House of the Seven GablesHouse of the Seven Gablesmore
A series of public programs based on the influence and legacy of Nathaniel Hawthorne to take place during the celebratory summer of 2018, which marks the 350th-anniversary of the House's founding.
Salem, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Julie Arrison-Bishop
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $5,025
"The Day History Marched Down Our Streets" Exhibition Planning GrantArlington Historical Societymore
Research and planning for a permanent exhibit about the events based in Arlington on the first day of the American Revolution: April 19, 1775.
Arlington, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Sara Lundberg
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $7,500
Westford Stories: Permanent Exhibitions of the Westford MuseumWestford Museummore
The implementation of permanent exhibitions "Stories of Westford" and "History of Westford Academy," which will engage audiences in the history of Westford Academy-the state's oldest standing coeducational secondary school building-and Westford's beginnings.
Westford, MA, Middlesex County (Northeast)
project director: Penny Lacroix
awarded on: 2018-03-16
amount: $7,500
Windmill Point Historic InterpretationHull Lifesaving Museum, Inc.more
Permanent outdoor local history interpretive panels on the US Coast Guard presence in Hull.
Hull, MA, Plymouth County (Southeast)
project director: Victoria Stevens
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500
The Future of Our Past: Building Capacity in the History CommunityPioneer Valley History Networkmore
Implementation funds for eight local history organizations to implement capacity-building projects after completing six intensive workshops on best practices.
Deerfield, MA, Franklin County (CT Valley)
project director: Clifford McCarthy
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500
Activate the ArboretumAuburn Public Schoolsmore
An environmental history project for Auburn Public School students that is led by a humanities scholar and includes lessons, a photography project, an exhibit, and a tour.
Auburn, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Sarah Connell
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $7,500
Dialoguing with Indigenous Americans in our Community through Peter PanOakmont Regional High Schoolmore
Scholarly consulting, the creation of informative playbills, and a post-performance discussion of a student production of Peter Pan.
Ashburnham, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Jeffrey Aubuchon
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $4,615
The Veteran Experience and the Social Contract: A Performance and Discussion SeriesZeiterion Theatremore
A three-part performance-and-discussion series on the veteran experience designed to attract and engage both veterans and civilians.
New Bedford, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: Rosemary Gill
awarded on: 2017-12-08
amount: $12,500
Museum of Russian Icons Audio Tour RevisionMuseum of Russian Iconsmore
A revamp of the museum's audio folklore tour with re-recorded content, new content, images, and professional translations in Russian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.
Clinton, MA, Worcester County (Central)
project director: Tara Young
awarded on: 2017-06-16
amount: $7,500
Exploring the Mill River Disaster, 1874 and TodayTown of Williamsburg - Woodland Trailsmore
Creation of three permanent low-profile interpretive wayside signs, a self-guided brochure, and a digital online "story map" for the site of the 1874 Williamsburg Reservoir Dam disaster.
Haydenville, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)
project director: Paul Jahnige
awarded on: 2017-06-16
amount: $7,500
A youth-led community development project investigating identities in Lawrence through research, photography, and documentation.
Lawrence, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Anna Elzer
awarded on: 2017-03-17
amount: $6,095
Life and Labor at The House of the Seven Gables Over Four CenturiesHouse of the Seven Gablesmore
An exhibition, a lecture series, and a series of Community Conversations related to the impact of labor, servitude, and slavery over four centuries.
Salem, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Julie Arrison-Bishop
awarded on: 2017-03-17
amount: $5,000
Re-Imagining Bradford: 4 Bradford Daughters and Lives Well-LivedDuxbury Rural and Historical Societymore
Transition of the interpretation of the Bradford House Museum to focus on the daughters who inhabited the house and were socially and politically active yet underrepresented in the house's history.
Duxbury, MA, Plymouth County (Southeast)
project director: Erin McGough
awarded on: 2016-12-09
amount: $7,500
Cape Cod Fishing ProjectCape Cod Repertory Theatermore
Creation of a theatre piece that will also produce an oral history of the fishing and environmental communities on Cape Cod.
Brewster, MA, Barnstable County (Cape & Islands)
project director: Alison Weller
awarded on: 2016-06-17
amount: $5,000
Food for ChangePocumtuck Valley Memorial Associationmore
Distribution of the film "Food For Change" and the development of discussion materials.
Deerfield, MA, Franklin County (CT Valley)
project director: Steven Alves
awarded on: 2016-06-17
amount: $5,000
Planning for Populating the Commonwealth Historical Collaborative CatablogPioneer Valley History Networkmore
Development of a research-based plan designed to support small historical organizations in participating in a new statewide Commonwealth Historical Collaborative online archive.
Deerfield, MA, Franklin County (CT Valley)
project director: Penni Martorell
awarded on: 2016-06-17
amount: $5,000
Humanizing How We Teach and Learn About Violent ConflictWilliam Joiner Institute for the Study of War and Social Conmore
A year of professional development activities for area humanities high school teachers about teaching the human and social consequences to violent conflicts and approaches to peaceful conflict resolution.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Alan Stoskopf
awarded on: 2016-06-17
amount: $5,000
Westford Stories: Permanent Exhibitions of the Westford MuseumWestford Museummore
Planning for a new core exhibit for the museum on the subject of local history.
Westford, MA, Middlesex County (Northeast)
project director: Penny Lacroix
awarded on: 2016-06-17
amount: $5,000
"Spirit of Place" Community EventMary Lyon Foundation, Inc.more
A day-long community event on the subject of im/migration and a sense of place in Western Massachusetts.
Shelburne Falls, MA, Franklin County (CT Valley)
project director: Sheila Damkoehler
awarded on: 2016-06-17
amount: $5,000
Northampton State Hospital Memorialization - A Walking Tour of Hospital HillNorthampton Historical Commissionmore
Creation and installation of historical markers for a walking tour at the location of the former Northampton State Hospital.
Northampton, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)
project director: Tom Riddell
awarded on: 2016-06-17
amount: $5,000
These Words: Community Engagement and PromotionChinese Historical Society of New Englandmore
A public presentation, a bilingual article for publication, an online repository of research, and a virtual walking tour on HistoryPin.com related to an exhibit regarding the social history of publishing, reading, and community engagement with the written word in Chinatown.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Diane O'Donoghue
awarded on: 2016-06-17
amount: $5,000
18th Century Social MediaLexington Historical Societymore
Support for an interactive exhibit that features Revolutionary War era communications systems in comparison and contrast with today's social and communications media in Buckman Tavern, one of the gathering and planning places for the Lexington militia .
Lexington, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Susan J. Bennett
awarded on: 2016-06-17
amount: $5,000
Teen Education Through FilmMartha's Vineyard Film Societymore
Six history curriculum-related film screenings with discussions led by invited guests for students from Martha's Vineyard Regional High School and Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School.
Vineyard Haven, MA, Dukes County (Cape & Islands)
project director: Jessica Johnson
awarded on: 2016-06-17
amount: $3,000
Hilltown Chautauqua, Earthcare FestivalHilltown CDCmore
Humanities speakers and facilitators for a day-long festival and symposium at the Bryant Homestead in Cummington.
Chesterfield, MA, Hampshire County (CT Valley)
project director: David S. Perkins
awarded on: 2016-06-17
amount: $5,000
The MastheadsCity of Pittsfield Office of Cultural Developmentmore
A series of five community conversations about writers of the American renaissance in the Pittsfield in conjunction with the City's new writers' residency program.
Pittsfield, MA, Berkshire County (Berkshire)
project director: Jen Glockner
awarded on: 2016-03-18
amount: $5,000
Beyond Success: Eugene O'Neill and Tennessee WilliamsProvincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festivalmore
Support for the 2016 Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival.
Provincetown, MA, Barnstable County (Cape & Islands)
project director: Jeff Hall-Flavin
awarded on: 2016-03-18
amount: $5,000
Touching Home in China: Curriculum for EducatorsFilmmakers Collaborativemore
Distribution of a curriculum to accompany the film "Touching Home in China," including videos, trainings, and presentations about Chinese history and culture.
Melrose, MA, Middlesex County (Northeast)
project director: Melissa Ludtke
awarded on: 2016-03-18
amount: $5,000
Processes: A Lecture Series on the Social Impact of Contemporary PhotographyNewburyport Clean Tech Centermore
A three-lecture series about the relationship between photographic processes and the "truth" in photography.
Amesbury, MA, Essex County (Northeast)
project director: Asia Scudder
awarded on: 2016-03-18
amount: $3,360
Belmont World Film's Family Festival & 15th Annual International Film SeriesBelmont World Filmmore
Support for the Family Festival & 15th Annual International Film Series, featuring international film and documentary premiers and focusing on international cultural understanding.
Sudbury, MA, Middlesex County (Metrowest Boston)
project director: Ellen Gitelman
awarded on: 2015-12-11
amount: $5,000
Somerset, Massachusetts: Envisioning Past and PresentSomerset Berkley Regional High Schoolmore
A program for 36 students in the school's Advanced Digital Photography program to create a town-wide large-scale photo installation of the historic places, people, and culture of the town.
Somerset, MA, Bristol County (Southeast)
project director: Virginia Troutman
awarded on: 2015-12-11
amount: $5,000
Boston Live Theater ProjectThe Boston Live Theater Projectmore
A program to introduce 36 high school juniors and seniors from nine public charter schools to live theater through six live shows and post-performance discussions.
Boston, MA, Suffolk County (Greater Boston)
project director: Eleanor Devens
awarded on: 2015-12-11
amount: $5,000