The Wyoming Humanities Council’s board of directors annually gives more than $80,000 in grants to non-profit groups and government agencies throughout Wyoming to pursue humanities projects of their own design.

The Wyoming Humanities Council staff is available to answer questions and offer assistance to grant writers at any time. We strongly recommend you submit a draft and work closely with Jenny Ingram to complete your application:  jingram(at)uwyo.edu or 307-721-9247.

Any nonprofit organization or public agency in Wyoming may apply for council funding. Nonprofits outside Wyoming whose programs will occur in Wyoming are also eligible. Grants are not awarded to individuals.

The humanities must be central to the project, and a humanities professional must be integrally involved in the planning and development of the project.

All application deadlines are postmark deadlines, unless otherwise noted.

Regular Grants: $2,001-$10,000
(with up to an additional $2,500 possible in matching funds)
Deadlines: April 1 for programs starting June 1 or later, and October 1 for programs starting December 1 or later. Reviewed by the Grants Committee. Applicants are notified of council’s decision approximately six weeks after deadline.

Mini Grants: up to $2,000
Deadlines: first working day of each month except July, for programs starting on or after the 15th of the following month. Reviewed monthly by council committee. Applicants are notified of committee’s decision approximately three weeks after deadline.

Planning Grants: up to $2,000
Provide funds for travel and meeting expenses of humanities professionals and others involved in planning content and format of larger humanities projects. Deadlines: first working day of each month except July, for programs starting on or after the first of the following month. Reviewed monthly by council committee. Applicants are notified of committee’s decision approximately three weeks after deadline.

Opportunity Grants: up to $750 for speaker or discussion leader expenses in public humanities programs
Deadlines: must be in WHC office at least two weeks before proposed program. Provide funds for programs that seize an unforeseen opportunity, such as speakers whose presence in the state could not be anticipated in time to meet the deadline for a mini-grant application, or humanities programming related to an unexpected local, national, or international event. Opportunity grants are not meant to take the place of mini-grants and are not intended for use to help defray the costs of annual events or events with enough lead time to apply for a mini-grant. An organization is limited to one opportunity grant per year. Reviewed throughout the year by WHC board president and grants committee chair. Applicants are notified within seven working days of proposal’s arrival in WHC office.

The Humanities
According to the 1965 National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act, “The term ‘humanities’ includes, but is not limited to, the study of the following: language, both modern and classical; linguistics; literature; history; jurisprudence; philosophy; archaeology; comparative religion; ethics; the history, criticism and theory of the arts; those aspects of social sciences which have humanistic content and employ humanistic methods; and the study and application of the humanities to the human environment with particular attention to reflecting our diverse heritage, traditions, and history and to the relevance of the humanities to the current conditions of national life.”

Humanities professionals
The council defines a humanities professional as someone with an advanced degree in a humanities discipline who is currently working in (or retired from) that field. We will also consider people who might not hold an advanced degree but who have advanced training, acquired expertise, or an established reputation in a humanities discipline, such as tribal elders. All projects except planning grants must include a public element and must be free (or provided at a reasonable charge) and open to the public, and advertised as such.

Further details and application forms are available on the Wyoming Humanities Council website.

Institute Description
Over the course of seven centuries, Rome went from being a small town on the banks of the Tiber to having a remarkably effective and durable form of  government, a thriving and developing artistic and cultural life–and political dominance over southern Europe and the Mediterranean. This year’s institute explores Rome in the Republican period:  its politics and government, its culture and society, its art – and its long struggle against arch-rival Carthage, led by the formidable general Hannibal.

Registration Fee Schedule
* Wyoming educators: $160 single occupancy, $135 double occupancy
* Out of state educators: $235 single occupancy, $210 double occupancy
* General Public: $260, $235 double occupancy
* General Public or Teacher, no lodging: $95

Registration forms are available online and by mail upon request. Participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, so early registration is encouraged. Registrations are preferred by no later than April 15, 2010.

The registration fee includes lodging at the University of Wyoming plus a welcome dinner, lunches and breakfasts. Participants may enroll for two hours of graduate enrichment credit at an additional cost. There will be a $10 advance fee for PTSB continuing education credit. Graduate enrichment credit must be requested at registration.The institute does have limited space so please be sure to sign up as soon as possible.

Institute Faculty
Laura DeLozier, University of Wyoming
Philip Holt, University of Wyoming
Eleanor W. Leach, Indiana University
Marilyn Skinner, University of Arizona

Public Lecture Series
Sunday, June 13
“Republic and Empire:  Roman Conservatism and Roman Growth,” Phil Holt

Monday, June 14
“Women and Wealth in Republican Rome,” Marilyn Skinner

Tuesday, June 15
“Celebrating a Trojan Ancestry,” Laura De Lozier

Wednesday, June 16
“Hannibal’s Dreams: Cicero and Other Writers Remember the Wars,” Eleanor Leach

Thursday, June 17
Movie:  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Or, Plautus goes Hollywood.  Our final evening program will be a screening of this 1966 movie, adapted from the comedies of Plautus.  Melvin Frank, director; songs by Stephen Sondheim.  Cast includes Zero Mostel, Michael Crawford, Phil Silvers, and (in his last screen appearance) Buster Keaton.  Discussion will follow the film

Seminar
Seminar readings will be drawn from Livy’s History of Rome from the Foundation of the City, books XX-XXX.  The recommended translation is by Aubrey de Selincourt, published under the title The War with Hannibal, published by Penguin.

Mini Courses

First period, 8:30 10:00 am daily

A.  The Religion of the Roman Republic, with Laura De Lozier
The Greek historian Polybius attributed the Romans’ rise to power to their system of governmentincluding their scrupulous attention to the sacred.  The gods of the Romans were citizens of the community.  They took an active interest in its affairs; they had intervened in them before, and they might do so again.  Mortals and immortals communicated through ritualized exchange and through signs and omens.  In this course, we will explore how individuals, households, and the elite of Rome conceived of and communicated with their gods.  We will also examine some new developments in the third century BCE, including the politicization of public priesthoods, the introduction of the cult of the Great Mother from Asia Minor, and the claims of divine favor towards Scipio Africanus, the conqueror of Hannibal.

B.  Mocking the Masters: Plautus’ Comedies in their Social Context, with Marilyn Skinner
Originally commissioned by Roman magistrates for presentation at festivals, Plautus’s comedies were regularly revived in later antiquity. They found new admirers (including Shakespeare) in the Renaissance, and (as attested by the stage play and film A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) they continue to amuse audiences today.  Some of the comic elementssuch as contrived plotting, gross and often bawdy slapstick, and glib reparteeare timeless. However, Plautine comedy also joked about serious contemporary social issues, especially tensions between fathers and sons, husbands and wives, and masters and slaves. Scenarios feature an authority figure, usually an elderly head of household, being conned by a clever slave. When an elite Roman male paterfamilias saw his stage counterpart bamboozled, why did he laugh? Through a close reading of four representative plays and discussion of their social milieu, we will attempt to find out.

Second period 1:00 -2:30 pm daily

C. Governing Rome:  Institutions and Politics of the Roman Republic, with Philip Holt
When they expelled their last king in 409 B.C., the Romans devised a form of government which they called a republicliterally, the “public thing.”  It proved to be remarkably durable:  it guided Rome for four and a half centuries, and under it Rome grew from a small city-state to an imperial power that spanned the Mediterranean.  It was also influential on later times.  The Framers of the U.S. Constitution drew less on Athenian democracy, which they considered little better than mob rule, than on Rome for inspiration.  To some observers, the republic was strong because it was a “mixed constitution,” combining qualities of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy. It succeeded by a combination of traditional stability, the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, and a political culture that ran on fierce competition, yet managed to foster new talent.  This course will explore how it worked.

D. Roman and Italic Art:  the second and third centuries B.C.E., with Eleanor W. Leach
In following Hannibal’s invasion from the Alpine crossing, we journey down two-thirds of the Italian peninsula, as the conflict engages not only armies in the field but also the allegiances of cities and populations. Can we look outside Livy to gain any imaginative sense of the inhabitants of this theater of war? Archaeology has given some assistance. With a focus on Central Italy we will look at portraits in bronze and terra cotta from Etruscan society, warriors, funerary games and journeys to the afterlife on tombs at Paestum and monuments commemorating Roman victories and dedications. Abundant illustrations will serve as the basis for discussion in each session.

Presented in partnership with the University of Wyoming Department of Modern and Classical Languages. For further information, please visit the Summer Classics Institute page or call the Wyoming Humanities Council at (307) 721-9243.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has recently expanded of the kind of training that Preservation Assistance Grants supports.  In addition to general preservation workshops, these grants will support education and training in digital best practices and the management and preservation of digital resources.

All applications to the NEH must be submitted through Grants.gov. See the application guidelines for details.

The 2010 guidelines for Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions are available here. You will also find sample project descriptions, sample narratives, and a list of frequently asked questions. The deadline for applications is May 18, 2010.

U.S. nonprofit organizations are eligible, as are state and local governmental agencies and tribal governments. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

Small and mid-sized institutions that have never received an NEH grant are especially encouraged to apply.

For more information, contact the staff of NEH’s Division of Preservation and Access at 202-606-8570 and preservation@neh.gov.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and three to five years experience as a fundraising or marketing professional, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.

•    Strong base of general knowledge and skills related to fundraising programs and operations, with nonprofit experience desirable.
•    Experience in recruiting and directing volunteers in fundraising programs desirable.
•    Superior communication skills including oral and written abilities.
•    Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
•    Excellent planning, organizational, administrative, and supervisory skills.
•    Relevant experience in implementing and maintaining computerized records systems for fundraising programs; basic typing skills.
•    Demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas and activities to the public in engaging and informative ways.
•    Ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals and organizations.
•    Demonstrated ability to make personal/professional presentations and ask for significant contributions from corporate and individual donors.
•    Enthusiasm for the humanities and their value.
•    Familiarity with Wyoming’s cultural and philanthropic communities.
•    Ability to travel extensively and work some evenings and weekends.

For information about compensation please email Executive Director Marcia Britton at marciab (at) uwyo (dot) edu or call 307-721-9244.

The deadline for applications is March 22, 2010. Candidates should e-mail a letter of interest, a current resume, and a list of references to the e-mail address above or mail to:  Wyoming Humanities Council, Field Development Professional Search, 1315 E. Lewis Street, Laramie, WY 82072.  Equal Opportunity Employer.

Forum presenters travel near and far in Wyoming, interacting with adult and youth audiences and engaging them in a humanities topic.  Presentations generally run 30 to 40 minutes, followed by 20 to 30 minutes of carefully planned discussion with and among audience members.

The best programs combine compelling humanities topics with a dynamic presentation style and critical thinking on the part of the audience. Any topic that can be approached through the humanities is welcome. Programs must be balanced and may not advocate policies or positions.

Presenters receive an honorarium of $150, plus reimbursement for mileage, lodging, and meals. Presenters respond directly to booking requests from program sponsors and may schedule programs to accommodate work and other commitments.  Presenters should be generally available for programs between November 1 and October 31. Successful applicants will have the option of offering their presentations for a second year through the Humanities Forum.

Due to the upcoming Museum on Main Street Smithsonian Institution exhibit tour Key Ingredients, presentations about foodways and food history are especially welcome. Proposals for humanities presentations in Spanish are also sought.

If your expertise includes the study of history, literature, religion, theory of the arts, folklore, languages, political science, law, ethics, philosophy, or related fields, the council welcomes your application. You can learn more about the program at the Humanities Forum page of our web site. Please contact Jenny Ingram at (307) 721-9247 or jingram (at) uwyo (dot) edu to discuss your topic before you apply!

Funds may be used for paid staff and volunteers of Wyoming’s cultural heritage institutions to attend training, conferences, educational workshops, or courses on topics related to the management and/or preservation of historical records, or for special projects at their institution. Each scholarship may cover registration fees, travel costs, lodging and per diem (for food). Funding may also be used to bring recognized experts into an institution for consultation related to the management, accessibility, or preservation of the historical records in its legal custody.

For more information, visit the SHRAB web site.

Dubois Museum

Check out the variety of humanities events in Wyoming this week!

Tie Hack Tour, Dubois
Monday, July 27: 7:00 PM
Dubois Museum, 909 W. Ramshorn St., Dubois
Museum Education director leads a driving/hiking tour to tie hack ruins on Union Pass.
Meet at the museum at 7 p.m. and be prepared to carpool.

Summer Film Series: The Good, the Bad, and the Grizzly, Jackson
Tuesday, July 28 & Friday, July 31: 2:00 – 3:00 PM
National Museum of Wildlife Art,  Jackson
Screened in partnership with the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival.

Reading Wyoming: Canine Companions, Cheyenne
Thursday, July 30: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Laramie County Library, Cheyenne

Explorers Club: Hollywood in Wyoming, Casper
Thursday, July 30: 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Fort Caspar Museum, Casper
Children learn about Wyoming’s past with stories and hands-on activities. Activity is free with admission. Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Admission prices are adult $3, Youth (18-13) $2, Child (12 & under) free. No reservation necessary.

Exhibit Opening: It Takes Weather, Water, and Work: Farming in Wyoming, Gillette
Thursday, July 30 – Wednesday, September 30
Campbell County Rockpile Museum, Gillette
Learn about early and modern farming in the state with this traveling exhibit. Topics such as foods harvested by Native Americans, the state’s arid climate, the importance of irrigation, sugarbeets, and modern farming are addressed through photographs, illustrations, and text. Exhibit courtesy of the Wyoming State Museum.

And the deadline to apply for this year’s Summer Classics Institute has been extended to May 1!

The theme of our tenth annual institute is “The World of Socrates. “  The institute will focus on Athens in the late fifth century B.C.—the height of the classical period, the age of high tragedy and the Parthenon, radical democracy, and bold and dangerous new thinking.  It was also the time when Socrates hung out in gyms and the public squares, asking people to define concepts such as justice and virtue and cross-examining them to show them how little they understood.  Then as now, such favors are not always appreciated:  Socrates’ trial, conviction, and execution are one of the main black marks on the record of Athenian democracy.

Seminar readings for the institute will be some of Plato’s finest dialogues:  Meno, Symposium, and Apology.  We’ll also look at some other developments in Greek culture around this time in literature, politics, philosophy, and art.

You can find more in-depth description, as well as the application materials, on the Summer Classics Institute page on our website.

Come join us!

Regular Grants: $2,001-$10,000 (with up to an additional $2,500 possible in matching funds)
Deadlines: April 1 for programs starting June 1 or later, and October 1 for programs starting December 1 or later. Applicants are notified of council’s decision approximately six weeks after deadline.

Mini Grants: up to $2,000
Deadlines: first working day of each month except July, for programs starting on or after the 15th of the following month. Reviewed monthly by council committee. Applicants are notified of committee’s decision approximately three weeks after deadline.

Planning Grants: up to $2,000
Provide funds for travel and meeting expenses of humanities professionals and others involved in planning content and format of larger humanities projects. Deadlines: first working day of each month except July, for programs starting on or after the first of the following month. Reviewed monthly by council committee. Applicants are notified of committee’s decision approximately three weeks after deadline.

All of these deadlines are postmark deadlines. Visit our grants page for forms and further instructions. If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Ingram at (307) 721-9247 or jingram@uwyo.edu.

Good luck!