Humanities Grants: Review Criteria


From an exhibit of photographs on the important, but little known chapter of African American GIs in Germany. Presented by the Phillips Museum of Art and supported in part by a Humanities Grant. Photo courtesy National Archives, College Park MD.

Applications that fit the Humanities Grants guidelines are reviewed according to the following criteria:

Responsiveness to the Community (40 points)

  • Commitment to reaching the wider public, particularly nontraditional audiences for humanities programming
  • Understanding of the targeted audience(s) and their backgrounds, needs and interests
  • Effective process for enabling members of the targeted audience(s) to play a significant role in planning and shaping the project
  • Effective plan to attract members of the targeted audience(s) and/or the wider public
  • Accessibility to members of the targeted audience(s) and/or the wider public

Project Content (40 points)

  • Quality humanities content—Strong discussion components. Clearly articulated topics, themes and questions. An open-ended approach that presents a variety of viewpoints
  • For arts-based projects and exhibition/installation projects—quality arts or design content
  • Program content and format that fosters enjoyment in learning and that increases understanding of the project's topic/themes and of the humanities in general
  • Innovative perspectives and formats that advance the field of public culture
  • Involvement of appropriate and qualified humanities scholars, and, if applicable, artists and other experts, in the project's development and implementation
  • Effective plans for assessing the project's merit

Project Management (20 points)

  • Applicant's capacity to complete the project successfully, including staffing, special expertise, track record and other resources
  • Workable plan and schedule of activities
  • Budget that is appropriate for the project
  • Financial support from other sources
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