Dear Friends of CTH:

As I settle into my second month as Executive Director of Connecticut Humanities (CTH), I am heartened to see a strong community of humanities advocates, engaged organizations, and thought-provoking initiatives. Despite some challenges, Connecticut Humanities’ future is bright. As we look forward, CTH aims to serve as a hub for Connecticut’s knowledge economy—bringing together college and university faculty; historical, cultural, and heritage organizations; K-12 educators and students; and the public.

CTH continues our competitive granting program through the Connecticut Humanities Fund. Our current focus is on aligning our funding priorities around gaps in Connecticut-based humanities scholarship, diversity and inclusion, and projects that provide content back to CTH for sustained public access. The StEPs-CT program will continue with these objectives in mind.

We will also maintain many of our flagship programs, including the digital humanities initiatives ConnecticutHistory.org and Teach It!, as well as our children’s literacy program, Book Voyagers. In addition, building on last year’s success, the Connecticut Center for the Book will continue to raise the profile of Connecticut’s talented authors culminating in this fall’s Connecticut Book Awards.

On the back of these existing initiatives, we are working to create CONN Tours, a “placemaking” app that will centralize access to the richness of Connecticut’s people, places, and ideas. Content from each of Connecticut’s 169 towns, as well as curated tours, will be broadly available to residents, heritage tourists, educators, students, and businesses.

As we move into the future, we want to hear from you, our humanities partners! CTH is seeking input from you about your community. As we look to develop an inclusive model for celebrating Connecticut history, culture, and literature, we welcome your guidance on the following:

-Identifying significant people, places, events, or ideas/innovations that are associated with your town.

-Identifying individuals in your community who are subject matter experts and/or knowledge keepers.

-What is exciting about your town today?

-Who in your town or elsewhere is doing interesting or innovative humanities-based work?

In the coming months, I will be traveling around the state to listen and learn about your organization or community. In the meantime, please feel free to send your ideas to info@cthumanities.org. The CTH team and I look forward to hearing from you.

With warm regards,
Jason R. Mancini, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Connecticut Humanities