The public humanities are fundamentally about communities of curious, engaged, thoughtful people coming together to explore and analyze complex and multifaceted stories. The outcomes of public humanities work are also about community; understanding each other’s perspectives, histories, and cultures better can help us create a stronger and more inclusive New Jersey. With nearly five decades of experience convening New Jerseyans to share in the labors and rewards of the public humanities, NJCH remains committed to fostering dialogue, understanding, and inclusivity across our state.

In 2022, the New Jersey Council for the Humanities will launch Public Humanities in the Garden State: Celebrating 50 Years of Connections, a year-long initiative that will allow us to reflect on and celebrate the past, while also envisioning the future of the Council and the state. The timing of the celebration will be excellent for our growing Council, which is launching new programs on community history and on civic engagement.

But any celebration of NJCH is also an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of New Jersey’s public humanities champions. Therefore, to commemorate our 50th anniversary, we will be announcing an annual prize meant to recognize the excellent work of a robust set of cultural organizations in the state whose work is flourishing despite the many challenges that COVID-19 pandemic has presented. The annual prize will also allow us to honor the service of our longest-serving Board member, former Trustee Stanley N. Katz, whose advocacy for the public humanities has helped to sustain the field over the past 50 years, and after whom the prize will be named.

As we prepare to enter our 50th year, we look to our community, the NJCH community, for support.

Please consider contributing to the Council, and help us continue to make connections, elevate community stories, and ensure participation in our democracy.

Thank you for your commitment to the public humanities.

Gratefully,

Carin Berkowitz, PhD, Executive Director
Dan Fatton, NJCH Board Chair