Mini Grants can fund small scale discussion-based programs that explore humanities themes and topics through formats such as short panel presentations, lectures, symposia, author talks, or other small scale types of events that contextualize and interpret activities like film screenings, concerts, and performances. Regardless of the format, the project should provide opportunities for the audience to ask questions and engage with presenters. For example, an event where audiences watch a film with no accompanying programming would not be a competitive Mini Grant application. However, an event where the film is followed by a panel discussion that further explores the issues and themes raised in the film could be funded through a Mini Grant.

Sample Small Project Applications that were previously categorized as Mini Grants:

• Capital Community College Foundation – 2022 Pennington Lecture Events
• Harriet Beecher Stowe Center – The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center Presents Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. in Conversation
• Ridgefield Historical Society – Votes for Women: Ridgefield Celebrates the 19th Amendment (VFW)
• Silvermine Arts Center – ReFRAMING Aging: Health, Happiness, and the Arts

Mini Grants can fund small, interpretive exhibitions that explore humanities themes or issues. Exhibitions should include accompanying explanatory text that contextualizes the issues raised for the public. For example, an exhibition that explores the issues surrounding housing inequities in our communities could be funded through a Mini Grant.

Sample Applications:

• Litchfield Historical Society – By the Virtue of its Citizens: Education a New Nation at Sarah Pierce’s Academy
• Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum – From Corsets to Suffrage: Victorian Women Trailblazers

Mini Grants can fund local walking, driving, or bicycle tours that explore humanities themes or issues. For example, a walking tour that helps the public to better understand how immigrant communities impacted the growth and development of a neighborhood could be funded through a Mini Grant.

Sample Applications:

• Connecticut Historical Society – CHS 3D Exhibit Tours
• New London Landmarks – Discrimination, Urban Renewal and New London’s Lost Neighborhood: a Walking and Virtual Tour
• Town of Wethersfield – Wethersfield Heritage Walk Expansion

Mini Grants can fund a portion of the creation and promotion of digital learning tools for the general public or school-based audiences, such as audio guides, digital exhibits, virtual tours, and classroom materials for teachers. A Mini Grant for Digital Learning Tools should clearly articulate how these tools will be accessed and used by its audience. For example, online materials to help high school teachers meet the requirement of Public Act 19-12 requiring schools to offer courses on African, Black, Puerto Rican, and Latino studies could be funded by a Mini Grant.

Sample Applications:

• The Barnum Museum – Before the Afterlife: Exploring the Culture and Life of the Barnum Museum’s Egyptian Mummy
• Mystic Seaport Museum – Online Programming for “Sailor Made: Folk Art of the Sea”
• Sacred Heart University/WSHU – Still Newtown (Podcast)
• Windham Textile & History Museum – Exhibits for Everyone: Creating Audio Exhibits for Non-Reading Visitors

Mini Grants can fund programs that connect your community through a common reading experience with discussion and opportunities to reflect or learn more about topics raised in the book. Community reading projects could involve inviting your community to read a book, followed by a visit from the author to discuss their work.

Please note that CT Humanities only covers the cost of books if the books are incorporated into the program in such a way that the public will be encouraged to read and use the books throughout the program. For example, CT Humanities could support the purchase of several copies of a book being made available to local libraries in advance of the author’s visit.

Sample Applications:

• Connecticut College – One Book One Region 2021
• Eastern Connecticut State University Foundation – Virtual Conversation with Vietnamese American Graphic Novelist Thi Bui