Mass Humanities

10/21/2026

Keep an eye out for stories about the work of all of our fellow humanities councils this week!

📣 It's Humanities Councils Week. Check out 56 Councils making an impact.

We’re celebrating a simple idea: bringing people together.

Across the U.S. and its territories, 56 Humanities Councils make space for the exchange of ideas and perspectives.

From folk art festivals in Wisconsin to workshops on environmental stewardship in Nevada, Humanities Councils invite people to engage in our country's cultures.

October 19–23, 2026, we’re partnering with the Federation of State Humanities Councils
to share stories of the gatherings—and the people—that make this work possible.

10/20/2026

Mass Humanities is quite excited to welcome nine exceptional community leaders from across the commonwealth to its board of directors: https://masshumanities.org/new-board-members-2026/

Austin Ashe
Trenton Carls
Dr. Melanie S. Edwards-Tavares
Alexandra Kennedy
Sarah Kelleher
Hyo Choon Lee
Rachel Pachter
David Silva
Riani Suarez

“It is an honor to welcome our new board members to Mass Humanities,” said Deborah Hall, MS (she/her/hers), who was elected board chair at the foundation’s October board meeting. “I look forward to working with this esteemed and diverse cohort, representing communities across the commonwealth and bringing a wealth of skills, perspectives, and subject-matter expertise to our shared mission. I am excited about what we will accomplish together."

We'd also like to wish a warm welcome to our new board officers, including Deborah Hall, Board Chair; Kristin McGurn, Vice Chair; Scott Casper, Secretary; and Michael L. Chambers II, Treasurer. Hall succeeds Aaron Vega, who concluded a two-year term as chair and remains on the board as Immediate Past Chair.

"I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the board members we are saying goodbye to," said Hall. "Thank you for your service, dedication, and passion for advancing the humanities across Massachusetts. Your contributions have made a lasting difference.”

Thank you Lawrence Hott, Stephen Immerman, Gage McWeeny, Michael Meltsner, Marita Rivero, and Erin I. Williams for your constant dedication and support of Mass Humanities over the past three years. While you might be rolling off of the board, you'll always be part of the Mass Humanities family.

10/19/2026

We are so grateful to our event sponsors for making our 2026 Massachusetts Storytellers of the Year event such a success last week. Your support strengthens storytelling across Massachusetts, especially for the small nonprofits, museums, libraries, and historical societies that bring history to life for so many.

We're proud to have co-hosted our event with Mass Cultural Council.

New England Public Media Fish & Richardson P.C. PeoplesBank Seyfarth Holyoke Community College Eastern Bank YWCA Central Massachusetts Florence Bank Stand Out Truck Greenfield Savings Bank Western Mass Economic Development Council

10/16/2026

The moment that Bomba de Aquí entered the room, we knew we were in for an incredible night. The drums. The singing. The dancing. It was impossible to not get swept up in the rhythms of Bomba and Plena.

Monte and Kaliis shared their thoughts on the state of public media, their approach to successful interviews, and more, all in their signature style. (More from their conversation will be posted to our YouTube channel next week—stay tuned).

All in all, more than 150 people packed Mill 1 at Open Square last night. We danced, painted, caught up with friends and colleagues, and shared a meal together. As the night progressed, one thing was clear: the arts and culture scene is thriving in western Massachusetts.

We're proud to call the 413 home. Thank you for showing your support.

The 2026 Massachusetts Storyteller of the Year awards, presented in partnership with Mass Cultural Council.

📸 Stephanie Craig Photography

Bomba De Aqui Brendaliz Cepeda Saul ElPulpo Peñaloza New England Public Media Mass Cultural Council

10/13/2026

Storytellers interviewing storytellers? We love to see it.

Listen to the most recent episode of The Fabulous 413 where Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith (Storytellers of the Year) interview Brendaliz Cepeda and Saul Peñalosa of Bomba de Aquí (also Storytellers of the Year!)

Listen: https://www.nepm.org/podcast/the-fabulous-413/2026-10-12/graphic-novel-the-machine-is-broken-storytellers-bomba-de-aqui-the-barn-at-lee

Brendaliz Cepeda Saul ElPulpo Peñaloza New England Public Media Mass Cultural Council Bomba De Aqui

We chat with author-illustrator Jared Sarnie, speak to Bomba de Aquí, Mass Humanities storytellers of the year honorees, and learn about The Barn at Lee's newest production, "Real Estate."

10/09/2026

Less than a week to go! Celebrate Monte & Kaliis with us on Thursday, Oct. 15, at Mill One in Holyoke. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Get your tickets here: https://masshumanities.org/2026-mass-storyteller-rsvp/

New England Public Media

Presented in partnership with Mass Cultural Council

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

THANK YOU to our incredible event sponsors who are making our Storytellers event a reality next week! Your generosity is greatly appreciated. By helping us shine a light on Brendaliz Cepeda and Saul Peñalosa of Bomba de Aquí, and Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith of NEPM’s The Fabulous 413, you are inspiring Massachusetts residents to be curious and seek connections through stories.

New England Public Media &RichardsonP.C. PeoplesBank Seyfarth Holyoke Community College Eastern Bank YWCA Central Massachusetts Florence Bank Stand Out Truck Greenfield Savings Bank Western Mass Economic Development Council

10/07/2026

Jillian Morgan, our director of development, sat down with MH Board Member Larry Hott on WHMP radio this morning to talk all things Mass Humanities, especially our Storytellers of the Year event on October 15. Listen to the episode and then reserve your ticket here: https://masshumanities.org/2026-mass-storyteller-rsvp/

WHMP Mass Cultural Council

10/05/2026

We're only 10 days away from an unforgettable night of music, dancing, conversation, and culture. Be sure to get your tickets now to show your support for Bomba De Aqui and Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith of New England Public Media's The Fabulous 413. Tickets: https://masshumanities.org/2026-mass-storyteller-rsvp/

Presented in partnership with Mass Cultural Council