Pell Humanities Initiative honors Claiborne Pell’s commitment to the humanities

NEWPORT – A new Pell Humanities Initiative will showcase the contributions of humanities in society as a way to honor the late Sen. Claiborne Pell’s commitment to the humanities.
The launch of the initiative was announced Aug. 12 at Salve Regina University.
The Pell Center at Salve Regina, along with the University of Rhode Island University Libraries and the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, created it.
This year is the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Humanities, which Pell had spearheaded when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill into law establishing it and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Wednesday’s celebration featured NEH Chairman William Adams.
“The Pell Humanities Initiative is Rhode Island’s way of saying, ‘Happy Birthday’ to the NEH and of showcasing the tremendous contributions of the humanities in our lives today,” said Elizabeth Francis, council executive director.
“Senator Pell’s vision of what makes a ‘truly great society’ is being carried out in imaginative, compelling programs all over the state, and we are highlighting how the humanities address the challenges we face and make a difference in our communities.”
A calendar of events begins in September and runs through summer 2016. Some participating organizations and projects include “Discussion Sundays” to be held from September through May at 2nd Story Theatre and “The New Tour: Innovations in Place-based Storytelling” in September at Brown University.
Events will be added to the Pell Humanities Initiative throughout the year. For information, visit rihumanities.org.

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