Bridging Cultures Initiative: Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle
Grant: Bridging Cultures Initiative: Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle
Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities
Deadline: The deadline was May 15, 2013.
Description: In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has developed a special project as part of its Bridging Cultures initiative titled Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle. Through this effort, NEH is planning to provide up to 500 recipients with a packaged set of NEH-funded films on civil rights history, accompanying programming resources, and a $1,200 grant to host community screenings and discussions about the changing meanings of freedom and equality in U.S. history.
The Created Equal film set, developed through a partnership between NEH and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, includes four films; three of which already have ties to public media. The film set includes: The Abolitionists, Slavery by Another Name, and Freedom Riders, all public broadcasting productions, and The Loving Story, a co-production of Augusta films and HBO Films. More on these films can be found on the program website.
Grantees will be expected to develop at least three public film-screening and discussion events focusing on the themes of each of the films provided. All events should be open to the public and free of charge. Additionally, community discussions should include participation by humanities scholars. To help carry out these community events NEH will provide all grant recipients, in addition to the financial award, with access to a robust site-support notebook with tools for planning public conversations specific to these films, access to the official Creating Equal website and programming support throughout the three year grant period.
Fit for Public Broadcasting: Public broadcasting stations will find a natural fit here. Many stations may be familiar with the documentaries included in the film set, especially those which are already linked to public media. This is an excellent opportunity to use the supplemental resources provided, through this program, to create a community discussion surrounding civil rights. Stations with experience in community engagement, especially those familiar with the above mentioned films are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility: Any U.S. nonprofit organization is eligible to apply, as are state and local governmental agencies and federally recognized Indian tribal governments. Eligible institutions include but are not limited to public and academic libraries; museums; historical societies; cultural institutions; and state humanities councils.
Anticipated Funding: NEH anticipates making 500 grants of up to $1,200 to eligible institutions for a project period of three years.
How to Apply: Applications must be submitted online through the Gilder Lehrman Institute website. Registration is required to apply, a process which may take additional time. Be sure to visit the website in advance of the deadline to begin your application.
Resources:
Program website
NEH notice
