LANSING — Michigan Humanities recently announced $203,101 in grants to 16 Michigan organizations in support of public humanities programming. In addition to this direct support, each agency was required to present matching cash or in-kind cost share, bringing an additional $374,885 to the table. This major grant cycle, the Humanities Grants, support projects exploring history, theatre, reading, education and community identity.

In Cass County, the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County was among those awarded. The organization received a $12,000 to support the annual Underground Railroad Days, a three-day festival hosted the second weekend of July that celebrates the history and legacy of the Underground Railroad in Cass County.

“Humanities Grant projects are an invaluable way for sharing humanities-rich, cultural programming throughout Michigan,” said Shelly Kasprzycki, President and CEO of Michigan Humanities. “These projects not only educate, inform and enhance local audiences in these communities, but also attract visitors, support community development and build capacity in organizations around the state.”

Humanities grants will be offered again in the fall of 2019. Draft proposals and applications are currently being accepted with a final application deadline of Aug. 22, 2019. Visit michiganhumanities.org, or contact James Nelson, director of grants, for additional information.

“The heart of Michigan Humanities are the creative projects developed and carried out in our state’s communities, large and small. Through our grant programs, we are proud to support public humanities in towns from Marquette to Vandalia and Allendale to Detroit. We want people to experience art, literature, history, music, culture, books and films in many ways, through many means — so that we can all share what makes us human,” said Michigan Humanities Board Vice-Chair Celeste Diehm.

Michigan Humanities received 48 eligible applications for review in its spring 2019 deadline cycle.