Missouri Humanities Council e-News | December 2009 | View Online  

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In this issue:

Missouri Rhodes Scholar Will Study Philosophy

McCall family
Photo: Elie Gardner/St. Louis Post-Dispatch

As I paged through the Sunday paper on December 6, I noticed a photo of a cellist from the St. Louis Symphony, Alvin McCall, standing outdoors with his wife, Anna, and three of their four sons. Their tall, athletic son, Andrew, was in the foreground. Everyone in the picture looked very happy. I glanced over to the headline: "Home-schooling helps pay off big." It seems that Andrew, who one of my colleagues knew as a champion swimmer when he competed against her son in high school, is now a senior, Phi Beta Kappa, at Truman State University. Andrew was recently selected from a field of 805 applicants to be one of 32 Rhodes Scholars next year. He will go to Oxford, to what he calls "the best philosophy department in the world." You can read the full article at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Smithsonian Blog Quotes Warrensburg Testimonial

The popular touring exhibit, New Harmonies, recently closed in Warrensburg after a teriffic round of programs featuring local musicians. With these touring exhibits, the Smithsonian primes the pump with themes and audio stations to help people think about the many roots of American music. Then a local program committee enters the scene and involves the local population. That local element is the magic that made 40 towns compete for the opportunity to host a Smithsonian exhibit in Missouri last year. Follow this link to the Smithsonian blog, look for their December 7 entry, and see for yourself what people rave about: http://www.blog.museumonmainstreet.org/

New Harmonies in Jefferson City

New Harmonies, the Smithsonian exhibit on American "roots music," opens in Jefferson City on January 23, 2010 at the Inman E. Page Library at Lincoln University. For more information, visit our wiki site at http://newharmonies.missourihumanities.org/

Walking Through a Book with a Child

Julie Douglas spotted a great "walk-through" exhibit of Mary Englebreit's artwork at the Crestwood Mall in St. Louis. It's a holiday offering that's well worth looking and walking into.

Illustrated Children's Museum
Photo by Bill Milliken

Julie expanded on the idea to make it a source of year-round joy. See her column at http://mohumanities.org/E-News/Dec09/walking_through.htm

Web Site Makeovers

The John Wornall House Museum in Kansas City is a gem of a place, with programming that is often immitated. Now they've completed an upgrade of their web site and you can see why they are excited if you follow this link: http://wornallhouse.org/

We're about to unveil the complete redesign of our own web site, so we know the trials people go through when they try to make a site attractive, informative, and easy-to-use. The old sites required specialists in technical stuff just to correct the spelling on a page or take down obsolete information. The new wave of sites are being built with software that makes it easy for people to change text and images. Newer sites also make it easy for an unlimited number of people to submit content of all kinds for publication after appropriate in-house review. The new web site becomes an extension of the community that needs it.

More Free Books for Libraries

Public and school libraries (K-12) may now apply online through January 29 for a "We the People Bookshelf" of titles on the theme of "A More Perfect Union." The free books are part of a seven-year partnership between the American Library Association and NEH. The books in the new theme prompt thought about the American Civil War. Included in the set is a DVD of “The Civil War,” the award-winning documentary by Ken Burns, including the rights to show the series to public audiences. Libraries are invited to apply online at http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf. A single application may be submitted on behalf of multiple libraries within a library system, school district or community. Individual branch and school libraries are also encouraged to apply.

In spring 2010, NEH will award 4,000 libraries a collection of 17 classic hardcover books for young readers, related to the theme, "A More Perfect Union", as well as the option to receive Spanish translations of three titles, and bonus materials for readers of all ages. Successful applicants will also receive accompanying materials for programming, including bookplates, bookmarks and posters. For programming ideas and tips, access to the guidelines and application, book titles, and further details, visit http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf. With questions, contact publicprograms@ala.org.

Call for 2010 Nominations for the Governor's Humanities Awards

Each year the Governor of Missouri and the Missouri Humanities Council confer the Governor's Humanities Awards on individuals and organizations whose achievements set an example worthy of statewide attention.  The awards recognize outstanding teaching in Missouri schools, outstanding community outreach activities by individuals and humanities institutions, and exemplary interpretive practices in libraries, history organizations, or other humanities organizations.  In addition, the Governor's Humanities Awards recognize outstanding books that have increased our understanding and appreciation of Missouri's history and culture.

Nominations are being accepted for the following awards categories:

  • Excellence in Education: recognizes one or more teachers of English, history, languages, or social studies, grades K-12, in Missouri's public or private schools.
  • Exemplary Community Achievement: recognizes an individual or group who has made a special contribution to a community's understanding of and support for humanities-related endeavors on the local and/or state level.
  • Distinguished Literary Achievement: recognizes an individual or group whose book or publication (fiction, non-fiction, or poetry) has increased our understanding and appreciation of Missouri's history and culture.

Nominations will be accepted until Monday, February 15, 2010. All nominations must be submitted using the nomination form and have supporting materials, including a minimum of two letters of support; resume, Curriculum Vita, or summary of achievements (3-page maximum); 1 to 2 page summary describing the reason the nominee is deserving of the award and how the nominee fits the category; additional support materials. For the book award nomination, at least three copies of the book or publication must accompany nomination materials. Program information and guidelines are available on our web site at http://mohumanities.org/governors_awards.htm

Museum and Library "Transformations" Conference March 12-13

Our next “Transformations” conference for museums, libraries, and cultural institutions is just around the bend -- March 12 & 13, 2010 at the Stoney Creek Inn in Columbia. This conference promises an inspiring and educational experience with information, hands-on sessions, and innovations that can be easily and affordably implemented in libraries and museums. Here is a sneak peek at just a few of the offerings at the March conference:

  • What’s the difference between a “good” experience and a “great” one? Discover the path(s) that will take your organization to the next level.
  • Collaboration:  Explore how museums and libraries working together are able to enhance the offerings of both entities.
  • Attracting Attention:  Learn the secrets of writing successful press releases and working with the press to market programs and facilities.
  • Gifts tell a story:  Many museums and libraries have found a profitable revenue stream in their gift shops. Find out how successful museum and library gift shops tie experiences and memories to merchandise.

If you’ve attended one of our conferences before, you know the value of the sessions and won’t want to miss this event.  If you’ve never been, come find out what you’ve been missing.  You won’t be disappointed.  Look for additional information and a registration form in early January. Latest information is always on our web page at http://www.mohumanities.org/programs/museums/museum_workshops.htm

MHC Executive Director Search Update

The search for my successor is moving toward the review of applications at the beginning of January. Candidates are advised to apply before December 31. The position starts with my retirement in mid-May. Full details are at http://www.mohumanities.org/about/stafflist.htm