During the Voices and Votes: Democracy in America exhibit tour, NJCH invites all New Jerseyans to explore how our communities define, understand, and participate in American democracy through our Democracy Conversation Project. Here are two ways to join our effort:
NJCH invites New Jersey-based nonprofits to participate in the Democracy Conversation Project (DCP). Eligible organizations may apply for $500 to support the hosting of virtual, in-person, or hybrid programs that relate to democracy and civic engagement in the United States and encourage New Jerseyans to explore how their communities participate in the democratic process. DCP is part of NJCH’s Voices and Votes: Democracy in America program, which also features a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit that will tour six community colleges around the state in 2022-23.
To be eligible to participate in DCP, you must apply on behalf of a New Jersey-based nonprofit organization or government entity, such as a public library, museum, historical society, academic institution, religious group, or community organization. Applicants must be in good standing with state and federal tax entities to participate.
How to Participate
Participating in DCP is easy! Eligible organizations may create their own program on a democracy-related topic, or simply choose from a list of 10 “off-the-shelf” programs created by humanities scholars and curated by NJCH. Programs may take the following forms:
- In-person public events, virtual events taking place on digital platforms like Zoom, Facebook Live, or other streaming platforms, or hybrid events with both in-person and virtual elements.
- Web-based exhibitions or recorded programs.
- Exhibitions, physical or digital.
- Reading and discussion programs (including purchase of books or development of guides).
- Oral histories, video oral histories, or other public history methodologies.
We recommend that you choose the program format and option that best suits your organization’s capacities, needs, and audiences.
All DCP programs must take place between May 2022 and January 31, 2023. The funding supports personnel, materials, communications, and other eligible expenses associated with hosting a program. All organizations must match the NJCH DCP funding at least 1:1 with any combination of cash and in-kind support.
Curated Programs
A Vote, A Voice: Women’s Suffrage and the Fight for Representation
Lucia McMahon, PhD, Professor of History, William Paterson University
American Grotesque: Literature and Civic Life
Mary Balkun, PhD, Professor of English, Seton Hall University
Civic Participation in Cancer Alley
Thomas Belton, Independent Author, Journalist, and Environmental Scientist
Disabilities Then, Disabilities Now
Nicole Belolan, PhD, Public Historian in Residence, Rutgers University-Camden
Questioning the Questions of the US Census
Karen Gaffney, PhD, Professor of English, Raritan Valley Community College
The Queer Housewives and Husbands of New Jersey
Alison Lefkovitz, PhD, Associate Professor, NJIT
We the People…Wait, Which People?
Christopher Fisher, PhD, Associate Professor of History, The College of New Jersey
What exactly is “fake news”?
Jason Luther, PhD, Assistant Professor of Writing Arts, Rowan University
What is the Meaning of Free Speech?
Ian Drake, PhD, Associate Professor of Political Science and Jurisprudence, Montclair State University
What’s the Verdict?
Ian Drake, PhD, Associate Professor of Political Science and Jurisprudence, Montclair State University
Complete participation guidelines are available here. Applications are currently open and are accepted on a rolling basis. To apply, please go to https://www.grantinterface.
Funds are limited, so please apply early! To ensure that the program reaches all of New Jersey’s 21 counties, priority consideration will be given to nonprofits in counties that do not currently have confirmed programs, including:
Atlantic County- Bergen County
- Cape May County
- Cumberland County
- Essex County
- Hunterdon County
- Mercer County
- Monmouth County
- Salem County
- Somerset County
- Sussex County
- Warren County
Questions about applying? Contact our staff at programs@njhumanities.org, we’re happy to help!
What do New Jerseyans have to say about the state of our democracy? Help us find out by hosting a DCP Storybox!
Storybox provides a place for all of us to add personal reflections to the national story of democracy in America with responses to a series of prompts:
- What does it mean to be a good citizen?
- What are the main challenges facing democracy today?
- What do you remember about the first time you voted?
- Why is voting important to you?
Storybox host sites will receive all the materials necessary to host a Storybox and collect responses from individuals in their communities:
- The physical collection box, which provides instructions for how to participate right on it
- 100 Response cards
- Instructions for setting up the Storybox, collecting and returning responses, and tips for outreach and social media.
We will be sharing stories contributed at each of the Storybox host sites – along with digital submissions in video, audio, and written form—on NJCH’s website. The collection will capture why individual reflections on the state of our democracy and the actions we take in our own communities matter, as we strive to create the “more perfect union” that the framers envisioned.
We will start sending out Storyboxes the week of Juneteenth (June 19, 2022) and they will remain available until early October or until we have exhausted the supply. Storybox sites are invited to collect responses through Election Day (November 8, 2022).
To sign up to host a DCP Storybox, please complete the form below. Questions about this program? Contact NJCH staff at programs@njhumanities.org.
At NJCH, we believe that everyone should have access to humanities programming. Based on your organization and desired topics/formats, we offer programs—often subsidized by our federal and corporate funding—so that you can bring high quality humanities programs to your audiences.
