Honoring exemplary contributions
to the public humanities
Every two years, the MHC celebrates how people in Maine have contributed to the public humanities—by going deep within their communities and regions, or by reaching the whole state.
Through Constance H. Carlson Prize (named for the first female president of a public university in Maine) and our Partner and Facilitator Prizes, our honorees foster agency, connection and engagement; emphasize and/or increase diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and justice; and represent or engage with communities that have traditionally had the least access to humanities resources.
2022 Constance H. Carlson Prize
Joseph Jackson
For his theater programming for kids at Long Creek, his efforts using poetry and other forms of the humanities to reform the justice system, and his role as advisor in the Freedom & Captivity initiative.
Carol Dana
For her lifelong work to bring back, preserve, and teach the Penobscot language, and her work preserving and sharing Penobscot storytelling.
2022 Facilitator
Prize
Wendy Allen
For exemplifying what it means to be a MHC facilitator. We celebrate Wendy’s leadership, mentorship of others, and her incredible work leading and guiding discussions.
2022 Partner
Prize
Literacy Volunteers of Franklin & Somerset County
For their innovation, creativity, and curiosity in our mutual work. We value how LVFSC has grown with us over the years, how they’ve engaged with their communities and adjusted program design accordingly, and how they’ve fulfilled the MHC priorities of engaging with and bringing resources to people under-resourced in the humanities.
2022 nomination committee
Tam Thanh Huynh, Executive Director, Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine
Darren Ranco, Chair, Native American Programs; Director, Native American Research, University of Maine
Maya Williams, Portland Poet Laureate
Samaa Abdurraqib, Associate Director, Maine Humanities Council
Diane Magras, Director of Development, Maine Humanities Council