Sacred Soul

The Great Serpent Mound, located in Southern Ohio, is one of the most recognizable effigy mounds in American archaeology. Experts have not yet determined its origins, but many archaeologists believe that it was constructed about 1,000 years ago, significantly later than the Hopewell culture. Although it is not part of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, additional efforts are underway to have … Read More

Saving history through public art

By Alex Corpuz On Juneteenth this year, I made a trip to Athens, Ohio, to see the unveiling of a mural depicting the history of the founding of Mount Zion Baptist Church. Now the Mount Zion Black Cultural Center, the former church is a prominent landmark for the Black community of Athens County. The mural—painted by community members and displayed … Read More

Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission Awards $75,000 in Grants for Holocaust and Genocide Education

The Holocaust Memorial on the south grounds of the Ohio Statehouse

COLUMBUS, OH—The Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission (OHGMEC) has awarded $75,000 in grants to support Holocaust and genocide education across the state. Administered in partnership with Ohio Humanities, a nonprofit organization that shares stories to spark conversations and inspire ideas, this grant program supports eligible non-profit, educational, and governmental organizations in Ohio. Grant recipients provided matching funds … Read More

Our 2023 impact

The filmmakers behind "My Name is Annabel" discuss the film during a panel at the 2023 Chagrin Documentary Film Festival

At Ohio Humanities, we envision an Ohio where people’s unique stories are heard, the past is linked to the present, and a better future is realized together. In 2023, we invested $488,858 in grant funding in Ohio’s stories and storytellers, sparking conversations and inspiring ideas across the state. Our 2023 Impact Report highlights the ways in which documentary film is … Read More

Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission Announces 2024 Grant Cycle

The Holocaust Memorial on the south grounds of the Ohio Statehouse

COLUMBUS, OH—Applications for the second year of Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission (OHGMEC) grants will be available this week to support projects and programming in communities across the state about the Holocaust and genocide. “The Commission is pleased to again offer financial support to so many institutions that are creating sustainable and engaging Holocaust and genocide resources … Read More

Stories that make our hearts beat faster

Ohio Humanities Program Officer Aaron Rovan's dog, Barbie, lays on a brown couch with a copy of Step by Step. Colored hearts overlay the image along with the Ohio Humanities logo.

This Valentine’s Day, we’re excited to highlight our love for Ohio’s stories and storytellers. Stories connect Ohioans, strengthen communities, and foster democracy. From a bilingual podcast series highlighting Central Ohio’s rich Bhutanese-Nepali community, to a documentary about our state’s longest-running lesbian bar, to a month-long festival in Cleveland celebrating the world’s first superhero, Ohio Humanities is proud to support storytellers who share … Read More

Nearly $400,000 in America 250-Ohio Grants Awarded to Ohio Communities and Organizations

Pennant with the America 250-Ohio logo reads "Fall 2023 Grant Recipient"

America 250-Ohio announces funding for 23 community-based projects as part of $1 million grants program to mark America’s 250th anniversary As Ohio prepares to celebrate and commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, America 250-Ohio, the official state commission charged with leading Ohio’s recognition of the semiquincentennial, awarded $398,240 in grants to 23 communities and organizations across 15 Ohio counties as part of the commission’s … Read More

Ohio Humanities funds narrative medicine research at Akron Children’s Hospital

Akron Children's Hospital logo

Akron Children’s received a $20,000 Ignite Grant from Ohio Humanities for the second phase of a study on the use of narrative medicine to help families who have a child in the hospital’s pediatric critical care unit (PICU). Narrative medicine uses the literary arts to help patients, families, and providers tell and listen to stories. Parents will be invited to … Read More

America 250-Ohio Partners with Ohio Humanities to Launch Grants Program

$1 million fund will help Ohio nonprofits commemorate America’s 250th anniversary The America 250-Ohio Commission, Ohio’s official state commission charged with creating the celebration of the country’s semiquincentennial, announced it will offer grants up to $50,000 to nonprofit, education, and local government organizations. America 250-Ohio will work in unison with Ohio Humanities, a statewide nonprofit, to distribute $1 million in … Read More

The Story of Cory

Cleveland’s Cory United Methodist was born a Jewish synagogue and community center. Then, it evolved into a Christian church and became one of the nation’s most noteworthy centers of civil rights activism. Now, led by a passionate young pastor, the landmark that hosted crusaders from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Malcolm X is fighting not for equality but for its life.