Call for Nominations: 2022 “Hands-On” Humanities Awards in the US

Deadline: 8-Apr-22

The Arizona Humanities is inviting nominations for 2022 “Hands-On” Humanities Awards.

Every year Arizona Humanities honors and celebrates outstanding contributions to the humanities in their state. Since the inaugural awards in 1990, Arizona Humanities has recognized individuals who have advanced the humanities in Arizona through their scholarship, leadership, support, and advocacy.

The Awards Committee, comprised of Arizona Humanities board members and public members, reviews nominations. 

Award Categories

• Humanities Public Scholars – Dan Shilling Award
  • Purpose
    • This award recognizes a distinguished humanities scholar who enhances public understanding of the humanities, transforms lives and strengthens communities through civil discourse and community engagement. The award recognizes the dedication and contribution of former executive director Dan Shilling’s 19 years of service to Arizona Humanities from 1984-2003.
  • Criteria
    • Letters of support should address how the nominee meets the following criteria:
      • Sustained research (3-5 years), publications, creative activity, and humanities service in Arizona.
      • Consistently serves as a humanities scholar, or public advocate for humanities.
      • Actively and consistently engages the Arizona public in one or more humanities disciplines.
      • Actively and consistently promotes opportunities for people to learn, experience, and explore diverse issues through public programs that foster civil discourse and community engagement.
• Friend of the Humanities – Juliana Yoder Award
  • Purpose
    • This award recognizes a public individual who makes a lasting contribution to the cultural life of Arizona communities through active support of, and involvement in, promoting the humanities. The award recognizes the dedication and contribution of Juliana Yoder during her 21 years of service to the Arizona Humanities.
  • Criteria
    • Letters of support should address how the nominee meets the following criteria:
      • Actively promotes understanding and appreciation of the humanities in the community through their work, volunteerism or leadership at cultural, civic, educational or other organizations.
      • Exemplary outreach and/or advocacy supporting the humanities and access to the humanities.
      • Significant contribution to the community by promoting civil discourse and/or community engagement.
• Humanities Rising Star Award
  • Purpose
    • This award recognizes a young professional, student, or volunteer who demonstrates outstanding and creative approaches to engaging the public with the humanities, and whose humanities scholarship and public service, has enhanced public understanding of the humanities.
  • Criteria
    • Letters of support should address how the nominee meets the following criteria:
      • Nominees must be 18-35 years of age.
      • Actively promotes awareness and understanding of the humanities in the community through scholarship, creativity, leadership or volunteerism, and actively advocates for others to support the humanities.
      • Evidence of impact on diverse issues/communities.
      • Actively and consistently promotes opportunities for people to learn, experience, and explore diverse issues through public programs and creative activities that foster civil discourse and community engagement.
• Outstanding Speaker Award
  • Purpose
    • This award recognizes a speaker who demonstrates outstanding and creative approaches to engaging the public with the humanities.
  • Criteria
    • Letters of support should address how the nominee meets the following criteria:
      • Demonstrate popularity with attendees.
      • Provide insight into humanities topics specific to the state of Arizona and/or of national importance.
      • Present information in an appealing style
      • Appeal to a diverse audience.
      • Communicate the importance of the humanities to a just society.
      • Always advocates for the humanities.

Nomination Guidelines 

• Anyone can submit a nomination. 
• Past nominators are encouraged to re-submit nominee applications. 
• Self-nominators must provide two (2) support letters from outside sources. 
• The nominator must submit two letters of support; only two letters will be accepted. 
• Only complete applications will be accepted. Please do not submit supplementary materials. 
• All nomination packets must be completed online through survey monkey. No paper nomination packets will be accepted.

For more information, visit Arizona Humanities.

For more information, visit https://azhumanities.org/programs/awards/