Mass humanities

Mass Humanities: Building a More Equitable Commonwealth through the Humanities

Mass Humanities is a non-profit organization that aims to create opportunities for the people of Massachusetts to transform their lives and build a more equitable commonwealth through the humanities. The organization believes that the humanities are essential to understanding ourselves, our communities, and our world. By fostering critical thinking, creativity, and empathy, Mass Humanities seeks to empower individuals and communities to engage with complex issues and work towards positive change.

Founded in 1974 as part of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Mass Humanities has since become an independent state affiliate of NEH. The organization is governed by a board of directors made up of scholars, educators, community leaders, and business professionals who share a commitment to promoting public humanities programming across Massachusetts.

One of Mass Humanities' primary goals is to support public programs that bring together diverse audiences from across Massachusetts. These programs include lectures, discussions, film screenings, exhibitions, performances, workshops and other events that explore topics related to history, literature philosophy religion ethics law anthropology archaeology linguistics art music theater film media studies cultural studies gender studies race ethnicity immigration citizenship environmental studies science technology medicine health education social justice human rights politics economics international relations diplomacy security conflict resolution peacebuilding humanitarianism philanthropy volunteerism activism advocacy journalism storytelling memoir biography autobiography oral history folklore mythology religion spirituality theology ethics aesthetics language communication cognition emotion memory identity diversity multiculturalism globalization colonialism imperialism postcolonialism diaspora migration displacement refugees asylum seekers human trafficking slavery genocide war terrorism crime punishment justice democracy governance civil society social movements labor unions cooperatives mutual aid community development urban rural suburban planning architecture landscape design transportation energy sustainability climate change disaster resilience food security water security health care mental health addiction recovery aging disability LGBTQ+ rights animal welfare bioethics stem cell research reproductive rights family planning child welfare education literacy numeracy vocational training workforce development entrepreneurship innovation creativity intellectual property copyright fair use open access digital humanities data visualization GIS mapping social media gaming virtual reality augmented reality artificial intelligence robotics automation cybersecurity privacy surveillance human enhancement transhumanism futurism science fiction fantasy horror mystery crime thriller romance comedy drama tragedy satire parody documentary experimental animation avant-garde performance art installation art public art street art graffiti architecture landscape design urban planning environmental design interior design fashion design product design industrial design graphic design typography illustration photography film video sound music dance theater opera circus magic puppetry storytelling poetry prose journalism criticism scholarship research teaching mentoring coaching consulting advocacy activism philanthropy volunteerism.

Mass Humanities also provides grants to organizations and individuals who are interested in developing humanities programming in their communities. These grants support a wide range of projects, from local history exhibits to community reading programs to oral history projects that document the experiences of underrepresented groups. Mass Humanities' grant programs are designed to encourage collaboration, innovation, and experimentation in the field of public humanities.

In addition to its programming and grantmaking activities, Mass Humanities is also committed to promoting public awareness of the importance of the humanities. The organization publishes a quarterly magazine called "The Public Humanist" which features articles by scholars, writers, artists, and activists on topics related to the humanities. The magazine is available online for free and is widely read by educators, students, policymakers, journalists and other members of the general public.

Overall, Mass Humanities plays an important role in promoting civic engagement and social justice through its commitment to fostering critical thinking skills among Massachusetts residents. By providing opportunities for people from all walks of life to engage with complex issues through the lens of the humanities, Mass Humanities helps build a more equitable commonwealth where everyone has access to knowledge and resources that can help them transform their lives for the better.