UTAH HUMANITIES NEWSLETTER







"Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving." 


Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky
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Utah Humanities empowers Utahns to improve their communities
 through active engagement in the humanities


The Way We Worked Exhibition Gives Rise to Meaningful
County-Wide Collaborations


     
The Smithsonian traveling exhibition The Way We Worked is continuing its year-long Utah tour with a stay at the Sliver Reef Museum in Leeds through November 4th.
 
To complement the Smithsonian exhibition, the Silver Reef Museum has collaborated with Arts to Zion and other local museums and cultural organizations to create a related series of exhibits and events collectively called  Washington County Works! This county-wide celebration of work explores how Washington County's unique geography and people have molded the growth of businesses - such as mining and agriculture - as well as the art, culture, and recreation sectors that have helped create a workforce-sustaining tourism base in Washington County. In addition to a dozen companion exhibits, there are many family-friendly, free events throughout Washington County during the Sliver Reef Museum's run of The Way We Worked.
 
"In preparation for hosting The Way We Worked," explains Bobbi Wankier, Director of the Silver Reef Museum and President of Arts to Zion/Southern Utah, "my work over the past year has been focused on creating relationships and alliances for the Silver Reef Museum and Arts to Zion, and it has made me very proud to be a part of the community in which I live. I have learned about the tenacious and varied work of the people who forged this oasis in the desert, and I value that they, regardless of nationality or religion, worked together to create this amazing region of Utah. As Washington County residents, we are all in this together and it is exciting to see the momentum of this community in embracing their unique contributions to the whole. I am deeply appreciative of this experience."
 
At the Smithsonian opening, Megan van Frank of Utah Humanities remarked that  " none of this would be possible in Washington County without the wonderful staff, board, and volunteers here at the Silver Reef Museum, along with their truly impressive array of community partners. When I first spoke to the Silver Reef board in 2015 about bringing this project to Leeds, they saw the possibilities immediately and have worked hard to leverage the project for facility improvements and to partner more deliberately with cultural organizations in the county. That collaboration has built a network that will last beyond this exhibition."

More information about The Way We Worked events in Leeds, visit our websiteview the Washington County Works! brochure, or visit ArtstoZion.orgAlso, read a terrific article about the Leeds portion of the tour in the St. George News !

Photo 1: Details from a small selection of the dozen exhibits curated by local museums celebrating the wide variety of work in Washington County.

Photo 2: Upwards of 200 community members came out to celebrate the opening of The Way We Worked exhibition at the Silver Reef Museum.

Photos courtesy of Mikee Ferran and Megan van Frank. 


Utah Humanities and Megan van Frank Receive Award for Excellence in Statewide Collaboration


      
During the October 2017 Utah Museums Association annual conference in Vernal, our own Megan van Frank accepted the Award for Excellence in Statewide Collaboration. This award is given to an individual, team, or organization that has shown superior achievement in any aspect of the museum field during the previous 18 months within Utah's museum community, and specifically recognizes Utah Humanities' Museum on Main Street Program. Megan directs this program and is currently coordinating the year-long tour of The Way We Worked through six Utah communities.

" This award is very meaningful," remarks van Frank, " and it is truly my honor to work with Utah museums in ways that strengthen and improve our collective ability to preserve and tell our local community stories."

For more information on this award and the reasons for awarding it to Megan and Utah Humanities, see the UMA conference program, page 26.

Here is an excerpt of the award description:

"This huge project has required commitment and creativity from every organization involved, and all have worked hard to make The Way We Worked exhibition a truly statewide endeavor. Expected to reach upwards of 50,000 people, the project's success is a testament to the strength of community, cooperation, and collaboration of the entire team. But even more than the public-facing outcomes, each institution is stronger for participating, for increasing its own capacity, and for building lasting relationships with statewide colleagues. This is a special project that truly exemplifies excellence in partnership and statewide collaboration."

Photo: The Award for Excellence in Statewide Collaboration was given to Utah Humanities and Megan van Frank. Staff from Utah Humanities, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Ogden's Union Station Museums, Hyrum City Museum, Museum of the San Rafael, and Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum - who are partners in the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street The Way We Worked exhibition tour of Utah - alongside executive board members of the Utah Museums Association. Missing are staff from the Silver Reef Museum and the Park City Museum. Photo courtesy of Jodi Graham.


Utah Humanities' 20th Anniversary Book Festival and
Michael McLane Highlighted in Local Podcast
 


 
LITerally podcast host Kase Johnstun recently i nterviewed our book festival director, Michael McLane, on location at Booked on 25th in Ogden.

Celebrating the book festival's 20th anniversary this year, Michael underscores its history and impact in Utah by recalling that as a 17-year-old kid he actually staffed a booksellers booth at the very first Utah Humanities book festival (then called The Great Salt Lake Book Festival). 20 years later, he is now directing the very same festival and facilitating its enormous growth through statewide partnerships. What  began as a one-day event in 1998 on the campus of Westminster College featuring 20+ authors  now spans six weeks each September and October. The festival has grown to 122 events in 20 communities, and consistently features over 100 authors.

Michael talks about Utah Humanities' role in offering literature programs throughout the state and emphasizes the fact that we partner with other organizations to reach their audiences.

Our partnership model is a win-win for everyone and supports communities of all sizes and demographics who engage with and enjoy the wonder of literature and reading.

It's an insightful interview that even recounts how the interests, growth, and passion for books, literature events, and poetry has evolved in Utah.


Photos:
LITerally Host Kase Johnstun, Michael McLane, and Booked on 25th Owner, Marcy Rizzi. Photos courtesy of LITerally.

 

Join Us for Upcoming Grant Writing Workshops



Join the grants managers from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums and Utah Humanities for a free hands-on workshop.

The workshop will cover best practices and tools for getting your message across, common budget errors, evaluation strategies, and general organizational readiness.

Sign up soon, space is limited.

12/1/17 in Vernal 
Workshop December 1, 2018 
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Uintah County Library
204 E 100 N, Vernal
 
1/18/18 in Ogden
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
United Way of Northern Utah
2955 Harrison Blvd # 201, Ogden
 
2/22/18 in Ephraim
Workshop February 22, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Snow College
Heritage Room in the Noyes Building
150 College Ave, Ephraim
 

Board Member, Archie Archuleta, Receives Civil Rights Award

Congratulations to our friend and Utah Humanities board member, Robert "Archie" Archuleta, who was just awarded The Albert Fritz Civil Rights Worker of the Year Award at the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet.
 
An icon of activism in Utah, Archie has been a member of many ethnic, political, advocacy, educational, peace, civil rights, civil liberties, poverty and labor groups and boards. Archie was formerly an elementary school and an Adjunct professor of Sociology at Salt Lake Community College. He currently works as a consultant and lectures on Mexican American history, Mexican history, as well as on the topics of racism, sexism, ethnocentrism, and civil rights in general.

We are proud to know and associate with Archie. He brings a genuine level of compassion and insight to our board, and an experienced passion for the humanities.


In one day, YOU can empower Utahns to improve their communities through active engagement in the humanities!
 
On Tuesday, November 28, nonprofits, families, businesses, community organizations, and individuals around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate and encourage giving to worthy causes. YOU have the opportunity to join this global movement and take action to help create a better Utah.
 
Every act of generosity counts, so join us and others around the state to support Utah Humanities and other local nonprofits, and make a positive impact right where you live. Stay tuned for more details!
 
Want to make a gift today? Visit http://bit.do/UH-Online-Giving to invest in humanities programs that bring people with different perspectives and experiences together to discuss important local issues.
 
For more information, contact Cristi Wetterberg at wetterberg@utahhumanities.org or 801.359.9670.


Click the State Icon to See Our Humanities Events Near You
 


Our events calendar is organized by month, date, and region of the state.

Click the icon to visit our calendar, and remember  to check back often.

There are always new humanities events to attend!


Many Thanks

"
One person can make a difference and everyone should try" - John F. Kennedy

As our fiscal year comes to a close, Utah Humanities would like to thank everyone who has supported us through partnerships and financial gifts . Our work thrives and grows each year because of your participation. We are able to empower Utahns to improve their communities through the humanities because of you.  
             
Utah Humanities is grateful for the generous support of many individuals, foundations, and corporations, and for public funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the State of Utah, and the Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks Fund.

Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed on this website do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.