Mass Humanities

08/28/2026

Tickets are now available for our October 15 Storytellers event in Holyoke! https://masshumanities.org/2026-mass-storyteller-rsvp/

Celebrate our 413 roots with food, music, dancing, and community. We'll be honoring Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith of New England Public Media's The Fabulous 413, as well as Bomba De Aqui.

“It feels almost disingenuous to receive an award for our storytelling," says Belmonte. "The stories we tell on the radio are your stories. Stories of farmers and historians, authors and activists, small business owners, teachers, students and anyone who has a story to tell in the 413. Which is everyone. We are humbled by this honor and are more honored, still, to have the opportunity to share our neighbors stories with you on the air.”

Mass Cultural Council

08/27/2026

"There's hope in the future with these kids."

For Volume 7 of our "People's Guide to the Revolution," we spoke with Worcester-based photographer Claudio Eshun (Don Claude) about mentoring young creatives as part of a storytelling workshop this summer.

Read all about "Storytelling in the Digital Age" on our website here: https://masshumanities.org/qa-photographer-claudio-eshun/

MA250

08/25/2026

Meet Brenda of Bomba De Aqui, a 2026 Storyteller of the Year. https://masshumanities.org/qa-with-bomba-de-aqui/

"Music has a unique way of breaking down barriers," she says. "When people are playing together, dancing together, and learning together, labels disappear. They begin asking questions, respecting one another’s histories, and seeing connections between cultures. Those are the moments that stay with me."

Read the full interview with Brenda on our website, then purchase your tickets for our October 15 event in Holyoke! It's a night of music, culture, and dancing that you don't want to miss.

Presented in partnership with Mass Cultural Council

08/24/2026

Save the Date! Our Executive Director Brian Boyles will be moderating the Springfield Public Forum's talk with historian Jill Lepore on September 10.

Lepore will discuss her new book "The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State," where she argues how technology has corroded global democracy, leading to the destruction of both human community and capacity for self-government. The event is free and open to the public.

Learn more:

Jill Lepore “The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State“ Springfield Symphony Hall, 34 Court St Springfield, MA Please note that our events have security screenings. Please do not bring[…]

08/19/2026

See you in Marblehead for "We Were There: A Marblehead Chronicle," which will be presented as a staged reading on Saturday, August 22, at 7:00 PM at the Marblehead Little Theatre. "We Were There" brings forward some of the overlooked stories of Marblehead’s Revolutionary generation, including Black, Indigenous, Jewish, Spanish, and European-descended residents whose courage, labor, service, and sacrifices were part of the founding of this nation. The event is free and open to the public!

08/18/2026

Thank you Eastern Bank Foundation for sponsoring our 2026 Massachusetts Storyteller of the Year event! EBF is a Luminary sponsor this year, and their support will help ensure we can continue to carry out our mission to champion storytellers across the commonwealth. If you are interested in deepening your organization's support (and receiving a few additional perks as well!) check out our sponsorship packet here: https://buff.ly/F6DVwH3

08/14/2026

Celebrate our 413 roots this fall at our third Massachusetts Storyteller of the Year event! We're honoring cultural powerhouses Bomba De Aqui and Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith of New England Public Media's The Fabulous 413. Tickets are on sale now, and proceeds support our mission to further storytelling across Massachusetts: https://masshumanities.org/2026-mass-storyteller-rsvp/

Presented in partnership with Mass Cultural Council.

08/12/2026

Wow! What an incredible way to honor Margaret Burnham, a 2023 recipient of the Governor's Award in the Humanities.

"Sally Chalfant Wolf ’80 has made a transformative $1 million commitment to Northeastern Law to establish the Margaret Burnham Endowed Visiting Professorship in Civil Rights, honoring Professor Burnham’s legacy as a legendary educator, award-winning author, activist and internationally recognized expert in civil rights."

Read more:

Sally Chalfant Wolf ’80 has made a transformative $1 million commitment to Northeastern Law to establish the Margaret Burnham Endowed Visiting Professorship in Civil Rights, honoring Professor Burnham’s legacy as a legendary educator, award-winning author, activist and internationally recognized...

08/11/2026

For Volume 6 of our "People's Guide to the Revolution," Program Officer Marie Pellissier reflects on seeing the Smithsonian in Massachusetts last year. Read how the "Voices and Votes" tour sparked democratic participation in small towns on our website:: https://masshumanities.org/reflecting-on-voices-and-votes-with-marie-pellissier/

Mass Cultural Council Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service

Mohawk Trail Regional School Ashby Free Public Library Douglas Historical Society Holbrook Public Library MA250

08/04/2026

Scenes from our film screening with GBH on July 15 🤩 Thank you Eastern Bank and MA250 for making this project possible. Shout out to our grantees featured in "Promises of the Revolution," Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Marblehead Museum, The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston, and WordPowered - formerly WriteBoston. If you haven't already, go watch the film series on GBH's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/

Mass Cultural Council Federation of State Humanities Councils

📸Iaritza Menjivar