Indiana Humanities announces Historic Preservation Education Grant Program

The Historic Preservation Education Grants program, funded by Indiana Humanities, aims to educate Indiana citizens about historic places and properties, emphasizing the crucial need for their preservation and protection. This initiative directly aligns with the foundation's mission to foster an appreciation for Indiana's cultural heritage. The grants support a variety of public programs, ranging from workshops and presentations to digital projects like online exhibits, webinars, and podcasts, all designed to expand reach and increase public understanding of historic preservation's value. The program focuses on educational efforts rather than "bricks and mortar" preservation projects, underscoring a strategic priority on knowledge dissemination and public engagement. The primary beneficiaries of this program are the citizens of Indiana, with a particular emphasis on public audiences. While programs can be designed for target audiences, they must be open to the public at large, including those in schools and correctional facilities. Eligibility extends to tax-exempt organizations, K-12 schools, colleges and universities, public libraries, churches, and government entities, ensuring a broad reach for educational initiatives. The impact goal is to cultivate a more informed populace that understands and values historic preservation, ultimately leading to greater community support and protective actions for Indiana's historic assets. The program prioritizes projects that are directly related to historic places and properties in Indiana and have a clear educational purpose. A key focus is the inclusion of preservation professionals or experts in both the planning and implementation phases, ensuring the quality and accuracy of the educational content. Accessibility is also a critical consideration; all programs must be presented at ADA-accessible sites or demonstrate reasonable accommodations. This reflects a strategic priority on inclusive public access to cultural education. Expected outcomes include an increased understanding of historic preservation among Indiana citizens, leading to greater awareness and advocacy for local historic sites. Measurable results could be derived from the reach of the programs, the engagement of participants, and the perceived value of historic preservation education. While the grant size ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, funding information indicates that individual grants will not exceed $3,000. Projects are expected to demonstrate at least a one-to-one match in cash or in-kind contributions from non-federal sources, which serves as a measurable indicator of community support and leverages private investment. This aligns with Indiana Humanities' theory of change, where fostering community investment and participation in educational initiatives leads to a more robust and sustainable preservation movement.