Mission & Vision

Mission

The Maine Humanities Council, a statewide non-profit organization, uses the humanities—literature, history, philosophy, and culture—as a tool for positive change in Maine communities. Our programs and grants encourage critical thinking and conversations across social, economic, and cultural boundaries.

Vision

Maine communities transformed by the power and pleasure of ideas. 

Equity & Inclusion

The Maine Humanities Council acknowledges that the humanities often privilege some groups over others, reflect our society’s structural racism, and define the contours of humanity in exclusionary ways. 

The MHC has shifted our priorities in an effort to acknowledge and address the marginalization that exists in our culture and within the humanities. It is our hope that our shifts can begin to make amends for the ways we have knowingly or unknowingly reinforced oppressive systems and exclusion.

Read full Statement on Equity & Inclusion

By the Numbers

Connecting Communities

95%

of participants feel more connected to their communities*

Supporting State Cultural Organizations

$1,198,184

total grant awards*

Engagement

95%

of participants feel inspired to learn more about a topic discussed in their program*

*Since January 2020

public humanities prize holders

The Constance H. Carlson Public Humanities Prize is awarded to a Maine resident who has connected and empowered people in Maine through the public humanities.

Maya Williams

Portland Poet Laureate

For their powerful creation of safe spaces for discussion and art, whose leadership ensure that people engage with empathy, community, and understanding. 

Myron M. Beasley, PhD

Associate Professor, Bates College

For his innovative leadership in conversations around art, his care in connecting audiences, and the breadth and depth he brings to his creative projects. 

Staff

Samaa Abdurraqib

Executive Director
she/her
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Harper Batsford

Program Coordinator
he/him
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Genius Black

Digital Media Coordinator
he/him
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Karen Brown

Office Manager
she/her
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Diane Magras

Director of Development
she/her
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Marcela Peres

Operations Manager & Program Specialist
she/her
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Nicole Rancourt

Program Manager
she/her
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Meghan Reedy

Program Coordinator
she/her
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Lizz Sinclair

Program Coordinator
she/her
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Sampson Spadafore

Social Media Manager
he/him they/them
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Kyle Volland

Program Coordinator
she/her
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Ian Watkins

Communications Manager
he/him
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Board of Directors

Greg Fahy

Board Chair
Hallowell

Paul Buck

Vice Chair
St. Agatha

Julie Sheehan

Treasurer
Auburn

Joseph M. Hall

Secretary
Lewiston

Jean Deighan

Bangor

Martha Tod Dudman

Northeast Harbor

Ayesha Hall

Auburn

Tam Thanh T. Huynh

Augusta

Margery Irvine

Brooklin

Ryan Lolar

Portland

Georges Budagu Makoko

Portland

Rosalani Moore

Verona Island

Mouhamédoul Niang

Portland

Amie Parker

Buckfield

Lise Pelletier

Fort Kent

Brendon Reay

Blue Hill

Latest News

All News
Sep 11, 2024

September 2024 Mini Grant Awards

2024’s summer Mini Grant awardees include community storytelling projects, museum…
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Jul 15, 2024

Summer 2024 Arts & Humanities Grant Awards

2024’s summer Arts & Humanities Grant awardees include an exhibit…
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Jun 10, 2024

Inside & Out: The Humanities and Mass Incarceration

How Might Humanities Councils Engage with People and Organizations Most…
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May 13, 2024

Spring 2024 Mini Grant Awards

Over $15,000 supporting Eight projects across Maine2024’s spring Mini Grant…
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Support MHC

Your gift will increase connections, agency, and engagement throughout Maine and help provide the facilitators, speakers, and books needed to create all of our programming.

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