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 Over the years, the Humanities Council’s Ohio Forum has been many things -- a showcase for new works and new ideas, a series of lectures by leading humanities scholars and writers, community celebrations of heritage and history, and an opportunity to reach new audiences and experiment with new program formats. The first Ohio Forum, presented in Cleveland in 1991, was also the occasion of Council’s first teacher institute -- a workshop exploring how to use Toni Morrison’s novels in K-12 classrooms. Throughout its various incarnations the Ohio Forum has helped local organizations explore issues and ideas that matter. Over the past year, several communities have explored the First Amendment. Programs in Youngstown, Cleveland, Akron, and Marietta featured presentations by constitutional scholars and journalists who have often been on the front lines in the battle to protect civil liberties and an unfettered fourth estate. In other communities, the Ohio Forum has focused on diversity and tolerance. Whatever the topic, the Ohio Forum seeks to encourage community dialogue. In October 2007, two Forum programs encouraged reflection and dialogue in Toledo and Cincinnati. On October 3, the Law School at the University of Toledo presented a program by Matthew Cooper. Cooper, who is currently the Washington editor for Conde Nast Portfolio, will talk about his experience as White House Correspondent for Time magazine during the Valerie Plame CIA leak case. Subpoenaed to reveal his confidential sources in the leak investigation, Cooper’s case underscores important First Amendment issues surrounding the investigation and the subsequent trial of Scooter Libby. As a veteran reporter writing for a leading news magazine, Cooper’s provocative comments undoubtedly will spark renewed debate about the role of the media as political watchdog. For program details, visit http://law.utoledo.edu/news/speakers.htm.  Also in October, several Cincinnati organizations began a series of programs for “Reuniting the Children of Abraham.” The Freedom Center has convened an ecumenical group of academic and civic groups, including the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, the Holocaust Center at Hebrew Union College, Xavier University’s Bruggeman Center, and Bridges for a Just Community. Based on a program previously funded by the Michigan Humanities Council, “Reuniting the Children of Abraham” will explore the common origins of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism to foster dialogue for diversity, tolerance, and cooperation. Eboo Patel presented a keynote lecture on October 17. Dr. Patel is director of the Chicago-based Interfaith Youth Core and author of Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation. Other program components included an exhibit and workshops for youth. For lecture location and time, please go to www.bridgescincinnati.org or www.freedomcenter.org. For information on on OHC's website go to www.ohiohumanities.org.Earlier this year, another type of community asked the Ohio Humanities Council to convene a roundtable discussion about tourism and economic development. Preservation Ohio and OHC brought together representatives from the Ohio Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Ohio Historical Society, the Ohio Travel Association, and the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums to talk about how Ohio’s cultural community can capitalize on growing interest in heritage tourism. National studies show that individuals who travel to visit museums, historical sites, or cultural festivals tend to stay longer in one location and spend more at each site visited. With Ohio’s wealth of cultural facilities, plus OHC’s emphasis on lifelong learning and Ohio culture, a focus on facilitating heritage tourism seemed a natural extension of the Ohio Forum. 
Beginning in November with a statewide plenary in Columbus, and continuing in 2008, OHC and its partners will conduct a series of regional meetings to help local and regional coalitions identify heritage attractions. Using its resources for scholarship and research, OHC’s goal is to help groups across the state define cultural tourism products and market those resources in appropriate venues to attract tourism investment and traffic. What do all these seemingly disparate programs have in common? Why do each of these projects live under the rubric of the Ohio Forum? With its emphasis on using the humanities to contribute to the quality of life in the state, the Ohio Forum is a vehicle for exploring the human story -- whether that story is about our civil liberties, or our need to embrace diversity, or to showcase our cultural capital. The Ohio Forum enhances quality of life, making Ohio a better place to live. And, ultimately, good places to live are great places to visit. |
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