Grants:Humanities Grants


American Mystic: The Magical Life of Harry Kellar explores the effect of traveling illusion shows on small, rural communities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Presented by the Erie Art Museum.

Grants for Public Programs in the Humanities
Humanities Grants foster collaborative learning through public programs that involve humanities experts and feature a strong discussion component. Examples of humanities projects include discussion groups exploring books or films, workshops, walking tours, panel discussions, exhibitions with interpretive programs, and craft demonstrations integrating conversations about the craft. Humanities Grants are available to all nonprofits, including arts organizations, history groups and public libraries. The overall goals of these grants are to:

  • Expand access to the humanities by funding innovative programming that reaches non-traditional audiences

  • Support experiences that foster an enjoyment of learning

  • Create opportunities for Pennsylvanians to explore and discuss history, arts, literature, philosophy and more—and particularly how the ideas integral to these fields both shape and are shaped by the human experience.
Types of Grants

Grants available include:

  • Quick Grants: Requests up to $500. Rolling deadline, but applications must be received at least eight weeks before the project starts.

  • Small Grants: Requests between $501 and $3,000. Rolling deadline, but applications must be received at least 12 weeks before the project starts.

  • Large Grants: Requests over $3,000, with a maximum request of $20,000. Intent-to-Apply form is due July 1. The application deadline for eligible projects is September 2. For projects that begin no earlier than the following February.

    View 2009 Large Grant Awards

    View 2008 Large Grant Awards

    View 2007 Large Grant Awards

How to Apply:
  1. Review the current application materials.
    You can view the guidelines. To receive a complete application, you must print the PDF version of the application. If you wish, you may substitute "writable" Word and Excel forms for specified portions of the PDF application. To receive them by mail, contact the PHC. Then, determine if your proposed project meets the PHC's funding requirements and deadlines. Note: the downloadable materials are effective through 2010.

  2. See the FAQs for help with common questions.

  3. Submit your letter or application.
    Instructions for preparing and photocopying your proposal are included in the application forms. Incomplete proposals or applications postmarked later than the deadlines will not be accepted. We will notify applicants of all funding decisions. We recommend that applications be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.

Humanities Grants are a program of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, including funds from its We the People initiative on American history.

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