Southern New Mexico – The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico and the Devasthali Family Foundation Fund have awarded the New Mexico Humanities Council (NMHC) a $7,000 grant to bring high-quality humanities programming to southern New Mexico.

Leveraging its existing speakers bureau program, NMHC will provide access to speakers at no cost to host organizations servicing Otero, Doña Ana, Luna, Hidalgo, Grant, Sierra, and Lincoln counties. Nonprofits and schools (K-12) may book programs on nearly every humanities subject, from archaeology to regional folkways, from local history to the ethics of land use. Speakers begin each program with a fascinating lecture saving time at the end for discussion and questions from the audience. Available presentations include Judith Avila’s talk on Navajo code talkers, Steve Cormier’s cowboy music performance, Paulette Atencio’s storytelling featuring northern New Mexico folktales, Sunny Dooley’s authentic recitations of Diné Blessingway stories, Jack Loeffler’s discussion about the history of water use, and Arnold Herrera’s drum-making demonstration, among more than a hundred others.  Explore the complete catalog of speakers and topics here.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity to extend our reach in southern New Mexico, thanks to support from the Devasthali Family Foundation Fund and the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico,” said Brandon Johnson, New Mexico Humanities Council Executive Director. “Grant funds will help us take our programming into new communities interested in exploring our history, heritage and culture.”

Presentations last approximately one hour and include discussion and a Q&A period. All programs are free and open to the public. Programs may be booked through August 31, 2019.

Nonprofit organizations or K-12 schools who would like to book programs that demonstrate our diverse human experience should call Jodi Hedderig at (505)633-7371 or e-mail her at programs@nmhumanities.org.

The New Mexico Humanities Council wishes to thank the Community Foundation of Southern NewMexico and the Devasthali Family Foundation Fund for their generous support of public humanities programming.

Since 1972, the New Mexico Humanities Council (NMHC) has supported and conducted innovative and imaginative programs that lead to a greater understanding of the richness of our human experience and heritage. Our current mission is to support programs in New Mexico’s communities which inspire inclusive conversations that strengthen our civil society and celebrate diverse human experiences. Find your next humanities experience here.