Humanities Tennessee aims to foster community and civility in Tennessee through public programs that delve into ideas, stories, history, arts, and culture. By examining and reflecting on these areas, the organization seeks to encourage community dialogue and mutual respect.
The annual grant competition by Humanities Tennessee supports public humanities projects targeting Tennesseans outside of the academic sphere (those not employed by or enrolled in colleges and universities). These grants focus on engaging audiences in reflection, critical analyses, and interpretation by providing social and historical contexts. Projects should involve qualified community representatives, scholars, and professionals, and utilize significant humanities resources. Criteria for funding include the project’s humanities content quality, audience appropriateness and involvement, potential for continuing impact, and budget economy. Funded projects are expected to be guided by values of accountability, agency, complexity, empathy, inclusivity, and specificity.