State Humanities Program
FAIN: SO-50383-10
Oklahoma Humanities Council (Oklahoma City, OK 73102-2215)
J. Edward Barth (Project Director: June 2009 to November 2010)
Ann Neal (Project Director: November 2010 to December 2012)
William Bryans (Project Director: December 2012 to June 2016)
Funding details:
Original grant (2010) $110,000.00
Supplement (2010) $560,320.00
Supplement (2011) $718,670.00
Supplement (2012) $660,540.00
Supplement (2013) $1,100.00
General operating support for state or territorial humanities council
Associated Products
A Limitless One Percent?: Framing Water Politics for a 21st Century Oklahoma (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: A Limitless One Percent?: Framing Water Politics for a 21st Century Oklahoma
Author: Cameron University
Abstract: This public policy forum aimed at understanding the interconnected and multiple historical, policy, and biopolitical dimensions of water politics. Accordingly, humanities scholars from History and Political Science examined the influence of water on the development of society in the Southwest of the United States. Following this historical assemblage of water as it unfolded within a regional and local setting, the program then focused on water from a policy perspective taking into account the relevant regional, national, and global context. In this phase of the forum, then, political scientists discussed the policy framework that governs the use of water at the national level and among the states in the United States. Acknowledging that the politics of water transcends borders, the policy dimension of water concluded with a focus on the role of international organizations in shaping a global water governance structure. Finally, the lecture portion of the program concluded with a discussion on the relationship between the quality of life and the sustainable availability of clean water in Oklahoma.
Date Range: October 7, 2011
Location: Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma
Sorghum: The Key Ingredient (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Sorghum: The Key Ingredient
Abstract: The 2011 Wewoka Sorghum Festival was a celebration of the different cultures that have comprised the Seminole County region since the mid-Nineteenth Century. The theme for this year's festival was "Sorghum: The Key Ingredient", in recognition of the Wewoka community hosting the first leg of the "Key Ingredients: America by Food" tour. Much of the festival highlighted the Anglo, Freedmen and Seminole cultures as expressed through their traditional and contemporary foods. Key goals of the festival were to: 1. Promote the history and culture of our community; 2. Create an appreciation of diverse cultures by sharing their similarities and celebrating their uniqueness; 3. Provide accessible programming to underserved individuals; and 4. Create a positive economic impact on the Wewoka community and Seminole Nation Museum.
The major draw to the festival - even more so than the production of the sorghum - is the ability to watch the creation of artworks and artifacts by many of our traditional Native artists. All day long, crowds line-up throughout our grounds to enjoy making colorful Seminole patchwork, watch the tanning of hides, making of arrow points, baskets, beadwork and other expressions of material culture. The tribal elders spent many hours engaging the public with the significance of these crafts and how they are integral to the history and survival of their peoples. They also relate how many of these traditions have evolved throughout time and what their place is in contemporary society.
Author: Seminole Nation Historical Society
Date: 10/22/2011
Location: Seminole Nation Museum, Wewoka, Oklahoma
Music of America's Civil War (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Music of America's Civil War
Abstract: The project focused on presenting the Civil War through contemporary song with history of the conflict and instruments of the day embedded within the context of the program. Dr. Hildebrand was brought in as our musicologist and performer.
The Oklahoma Historical Society offered four student programs and one evening public performance for a total of 627 visitors. While the attendance was lower than expected all enjoyed the program and left positive feedback on the program and its impact.
Dr. Hildebrand explored the various phases of the war and public sentiment in the North and South through his selection of songs. Students and adults were exposed to a variety of pieces with appropriate background provided for each. In addition, students and adults were provided background information on a number of musical instruments.
Author: Oklahoma Historical Society
Date: 11/3/2011
Location: Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
"Carry the Fire": The Chickasaw Nation's Native Humanities (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: "Carry the Fire": The Chickasaw Nation's Native Humanities
Abstract: In the Chickasaw language, lowak sho’li means to “carry the fire” next to one’s heart. This fire, the humanities, is essential, vital, life sustaining and—we are convinced—restorative. The Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities ardently seeks to ignite a passion for the humanities in the hearts of others. On October 6, 2011, the Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities hosted its inaugural Lowak Sho’li “Carry the Fire” Native Humanities Forum in the Black Box Theatre of its new facility at 201 North Broadway in Ada. With the support and generous assistance of the Oklahoma Humanities council, this event created important public dialogue among tribal members, students and the general public for greater understanding of cultural and historic diversity in Oklahoma, the role of the humanities in education and other sectors, and the benefits of the humanities to not only individuals but also communities.
Author: The Chickasaw Nation
Date: 10/6/11
Location: Chickasaw Nation Arts and Humanities Facility, Ada, Oklahoma
Oklahoma Literature and the Oklahoma Voice (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Oklahoma Literature and the Oklahoma Voice
Abstract: On Tuesday, November 1, Dr. Mish presented work from her book of poetry, Work is Love Made Visible, to an audience of community members. Mish spoke about how growing up in Oklahoma has influenced her writing and career as a scholar and publisher. She spoke about the importance of the Oklahoma Voice in writing, and the role small press publishers play in Oklahoma Publishing. On Wednesday, Nov. 2, Dr. Mish gave presentations to the 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, and 12 pm classes on the same topic of Oklahoma writers, the Oklahoma Voice, and the importance of small press publishing, and also read some of her poetry to illustrate her points. In each presentation, she allowed time for questions and answers.
Author: Seminole State College
Date: 11/1/11
Location: Seminole State College, Seminole, Oklahoma
2012 Winter Chautauqua: Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: 2012 Winter Chautauqua: Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind
Abstract: The project was to present information about Margaret Mitchell in a Chautauqua experience. The scholar was Debra Conner. She conducted 2 workshops and an evening preformance in character. The entire experience was avaible to the public and also supplemented a college level course in the humanties field. Mrs. Conner was well received and had a plethora of information which was presented throughout the day. Audience experience was primarily positive .
Author: Northwestern Oklahoma State University-Enid Campus
Date: 1/21/12
Location: Northwestern Oklahoma State University-Enid Campus, Enid, Oklahoma
Frontiers in History (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Frontiers in History
Abstract: Dr. Elliott West, Professor of History at the University of Arkansas, spoke on the topic: The West Before Lewis and Clark: Three Lives. His summary of the lecture:
Too often we think that western history began with the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-1806, but there was a lot that happened before that famous journey. Trace the stories of three persons—a young Frenchman, an Indian woman and a Spanish woman captured by Comanches--to illustrate how sweeping changes were transforming the West, and in particular the Great Plains, including what is now Oklahoma, for a century and a quarter before Lewis and Clark set off up the Missouri River.
After his lecture, Professor West answered questions from the audience about Lewis and Clark and the historical characters he focused on, the Frenchman, the Indian woman, the Spanish woman, and the Comanche tribe.
The goal of the project was to share Professor West’s expertise of Great Plains and Western history and his storytelling skills with a local public audience.
Author: Oklahoma Council for History Education
Date: 9/23/11
Location: Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, Norman, Oklahoma
16th Annual Oklahoma Literary Arts Festival: Mark Twain's Controversy Through the Years (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: 16th Annual Oklahoma Literary Arts Festival: Mark Twain's Controversy Through the Years
Abstract: The Festival included 12 sessions held during the morning each focused on a literary technique while focusing around the work of Mark Twain. These sessions were for the students attending the festival. Each session was held twice and each student chose two sessions to attend in order to accommodate the large Festival attendance. The curator for the Mark Twain Home and Museum provided a Master Class for the high school teachers in attendance during the morning. The high school students and teachers were pleased and excited to have attended the Festival events. "A Day with Mark Twain" was held in the Ataloa Theatre of Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. Attendance was a minimum of 225 -- students and teachers registered for the event with additional numbers of University students, faculty, and staff as well as members of the Ada regional community. The audience was a full range of age, ethnicity, socioeconomics, etc
Author: East Central University
Date: 11/10/11
Location: East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma