The Arkansas History Commission and State Archives and the
Black History Commission of Arkansas were recently awarded over $24,000.
In early May, the Arkansas Humanities Council, Department
of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded the
History Commission $24,050 for public programming and outreach. Throughout each year, the History Commission
sponsors various workshops and symposiums for its patrons. The Humanities Council grant will help
support workshops and symposiums held during 2015.
The Black History Commission of Arkansas also received a
grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council as well. The BHCA was awarded a
$1,350 African American Heritage Grant for the purpose of supporting public
programming and education. Each year, the BHCA holds two symposiums dedicated
to furthering the study of African American history in Arkansas. This grant will
assist in funding the June 6, 2015, symposium focusing on the roots of African
American foodways.
In reference to the importance of the History Commission receiving this external
funding, Dr. Lisa Speer, director of the AHC, said, “Without funding from the
Council, the Commission would not be able to accomplish some of its goals. My
staff and I are grateful for the support that the Council has provided to the
Commission through the years.”
The Arkansas History Commission and State Archives, located
in Little Rock, is the official state archives of Arkansas and maintains the
largest collection of historical materials on Arkansas in the world. The
mission of the Black History Commission of Arkansas is to collect materials
pertaining to African American history for the Arkansas History Commission, to
encourage research in the state's African American history, and to cooperate
with the Arkansas Department of Education to develop materials that support the
teaching of African American history in our public schools.
