Michigan Humanities Awards

At Michigan Humanities, we view the humanities as ideas, words, and activities that help us understand our lives and our world. Through stories, histories, cultures, and conversations, they introduce us to people, places, and ideas. Connecting with people through the humanities gives us a window into how others approach living. Examining diverse heritages, traditions, and histories can point the way to mutual understanding and encourage empathy.

Our annual Michigan Humanities Awards recognize and celebrate one organization and two individuals who are champions of public humanities. Awards are given in the following categories:

Erik Jones Reading Champion Award

The Erik Jones Reading Champion Award is a collaboration between Michigan Humanities and the Erik Jones Foundation. This award recognizes an individual who has significantly supported the development of literacy and passion for reading in Michigan. The recipient of this award receives a $2,500 honorarium.

Humanities Champion of the Year

Humanities Champion of the Year—Individual recognizes the person whose contributions resulted in outstanding public humanities impact in their community and in our state. Examples are teachers, scholars, librarians, historians, or volunteers who have creatively and successfully brought humanities to the public forum.

Outstanding Humanities Organization

Outstanding Humanities Organization recognizes organizations that have made a lasting contribution to the enjoyment of public and accessible humanities programming in Michigan. They may have brought to life a book, humanities project, historical project, discussion, or other humanities programs, serving their community and our state. The awarded partner should have carefully considered gaps and necessities in their communities and to have had an impact in these identified areas through their humanities work.

Nominee Criteria

• Significant contribution to supporting Michigan communities through humanities work.
• Exemplary outreach and advocacy making the humanities available and accessible to the people of Michigan.
• Actively promote understanding and vitality of the humanities through their work, volunteerism, or leadership across Michigan.

The public is welcome to nominate a person or organization of their choice every year, January 15 through March 1. Award recipients are announced in mid-May and are selected by a panel of volunteers who are humanities professionals. Recipients of the Humanities Champion of the Year and Outstanding Humanities Organization awards receive $2,500 to use towards a celebration in their community or a project supporting their work. The recipient of the Erik Jones Reading Champion Award receives a $2,500 honorarium.

Have questions about eligibility? Please reach out to info@mihumanities.org.