DC Oral History - Beyond the Archive Grants

DC Oral History - Beyond the Archive Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: HumanitiesDC
Amount: Up to US $12,000
Last Updated: January 08, 2026

Summary

The DC Oral History - Beyond the Archive Grants provide funding for community organizations and individuals to create public humanities projects utilizing existing oral history collections. These projects should focus on themes relevant to Washington, DC, and benefit its residents. Possible outcomes include exhibitions, performances, written research, and educational curricula, all aimed at showcasing the unique stories of the city’s diverse communities.

Overview

About HumanitiesDC: Washington DC is a vibrant, historical city full of curious people who have big questions, bright ideas, and unique experiences to share. These human stories allow us to navigate the complexities of our past, present, and future. The humanities help us learn from history and literature, empathize through language and comparative religion, and challenge our assumptions with philosophy and ethics. They are a compass for interpreting what humans make and exploring what makes us human. Founded in 1980, HumanitiesDC is one of 56 state councils supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities to ensure the humanities are available to all. Our grantmaking and programs allow us to celebrate, elevate, and connect local voices that bring our city to life. Summary: Help us showcase the unique stories of Washington, DC residents! This grant opportunity funds community organizations and individuals to produce public humanities projects from existing oral history collections in any archive. Potential projects may focus on neighborhoods, social organizations, political history, labor, faith-based groups, cultural trends, historic events, or other themes that draw on one or more collections of oral histories. All projects must be thematically focused on Washington, DC and must benefit District residents. Potential projects may include exhibitions, performances, listening stations, written research, film/video, curricula for K-12 and higher education, websites, and computer applications based on and directly using existing oral history collections. Selected grantees will work with staff from the DC Oral History Collaborative throughout their projects.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.