Havre chosen for Hometown Humanities

Havre has been chosen as the next site for Hometown Humanities, a Humanities Montana initiative that brings a year’s worth of humanities-based programming to a community.

Kim Anderson, associate director of programs of Humanities Montana, said nine communities applied for the program.

“We were really impressed with the quality of the application from Havre,” she said. “There was a strong commitment to do a great diversity of programming. There were great partnerships between MSU-Northern, the public schools, the library and other community organizations.”

According to a Humanities Montana press release, a local committee with representatives from Montana State University-Northern, Stone Child College, Aaniiih Nakoda College, Hill County Schools, Havre Public Schools and the Havre-Hill County Library will work with community members, and Humanities Montana staff to plan approximately 25 educational and cultural programs. Events will include public speakers and community discussions.

All Hometown Humanities programs will be free and open to the public.

Anderson said her organization has never spent a year on the Hi-Line before.

“Humanities Montana staff will be visiting Havre in June,” she said. “We are encouraging anyone in the community who wants to be involved at whatever level to dive in.”

Anderson added that her organization will tailor to the needs of Havre.

“Whatever the planners and people who come to the meetings decide is the best schedule is what we’ll try to follow,” she said. “Normally, we’ll come and visit in June, we’ll start to do some promotion and continue our planning throughout the summer — and then have programs starting in the fall.”

Humanities Montana is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Since 1972, the organization has provided grants and programs on history, literature, diverse cultures, philosophy and current affairs. Each year, Humanities Montana supports hundreds of Montana organizations conducting humanities programs, the press release says.

To participate in the planning committee, or to sign up for a newsletter, email info@humanitiesmontana.org.