Humanities Council board chairwoman Tracy Guerrero told Variety, “This is the Humanities Council’s 20th anniversary so we want to celebrate 20 years of the humanities in the Northern Marianas.”
Guerrero said the council relies heavily on grant money; unfortunately, she said, with the trend of the decreasing grants, “we have been informed by the National Endowment for the Humanities to be more aggressive with pursuing local fundraising activities.”
“So because this is our 20th year in operation, we want to celebrate in a big way and do something that will help us raise funds for public programs,” Guererro said.
She told Variety that the Humanities Council is planning on selling 300 tickets at $50 per ticket. She said the council is hoping to raise about $5,000.
Guerrero said the proceeds will go a long way in supporting a variety of public humanities programs and educational initiatives for the benefit of residents throughout the Commonwealth. These programs include, among others, the Teachers Institute, the Motheread Family Literacy Program, the preservation of local history and languages, projects that explore cultural diversity and programs that introduce the humanities to elementary, junior high and high school students in a variety of enjoyable and educational formats.
She said the Humanities Council’s annual budget is $200,000 that go toward programs and grants.
She also said organizations can come to them and apply for community grant support which usually range between $500 to $10,000.
Among the recent projects included the summer literacy programs on both Tinian and Rota.
Guerrero said they currently have a number of programs going on.
She mentioned their radio program on Power 99 every Sunday at 2 p.m.
Hosted by Cathy Anderson, the radio program, Guerrero said, explores different topics on the humanities. “It’s one of the ways we reach out to the community,” she said.
She also cited the successful Junior Mock Trial Program and the forthcoming Teachers Institute.
“This summer we are doing a teachers institute in August. It’s a biannual program we do in partnership with the Public School System.”
The institute is open to both private and public school teachers and provides a solid overview of the history of the islands, Guerrero said.
“We are really excited about the 20th anniversary celebration,” said Guerrero announcing that their keynote speaker is Fr. Eric Forbes, well-known historian from Guam.
A big draw for the guests is the auction of “unique” artwork including original Connie Adams prints, reproductions of some Freycinet opuses, and local artwork and photographs.
Guerrero also expressed hope that the Humanities Council will be able to raise funds from the auction.
Meanwhile, in an earlier interview, Humanities Council executive director Scott Russell and program officer Merced Ada made a similar call for the community to help support the fundraiser.
“We have finally firmed up some of the details of our big fundraiser. We have the entire restaurant area — The Magellan Restaurant overflowing at the Charlie’s Cabaret,” said Russell.
Ada said their keynote speaker Fr. Eric Forbes is a Chamorro Cappuchin friar from Guam whose background is in the humanities.
Russell said Forbes came to Saipan 12 years ago and did a lecture on the history of the Spanish-Chammorro surnames, where they came from, and how they were introduced to the Marianas.
Russell said, “We’ll be having an auction which will be of art objects, mostly paintings, and historic prints from the Freycinet Collection, selected photographs from notable island photographers, among other items. People will have the opportunity to acquire some very unique artwork. All auction proceeds will go to supporting council programs.”
Ada and Russell said they hope the fundraiser will have a good turnout and they hope the public will celebrate 20 years of the humanities in the islands and help raise funds to support important community programs.
