The Western Illinois Museum Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Museum Director, Sue Scott, will be recognized by the Illinois Humanities with one of this year’s Public Humanities Awards. Established in 1984, the Public Humanities Awards celebrates people who have made an indelible impact on our state through their work in and support of the humanities. This year’s virtual award event will celebrate the power of the humanities from all corners of Illinois with dynamic imagery, provocative dialogue, uplifting stories, and more on May 19th, 2022, from Noon-1 pm CST. Museum Board Chair Jeff Kellogg remarked, “Sue’s work is putting Macomb on the map and leading the charge that the humanities play a critical role in building resilient and connected communities. Her vision for what is possible is evident in the growth of the Museum’s programs and exhibits, as well as in the exciting renovations being undertaken to create a place for the entire community to learn from and experience the humanities.”
Sue Scott joined the staff of the Western Illinois Museum in the summer of 2008. She credits the IL Humanities with having an impact on her professional growth through guidance on how to present engaging humanities programs and grants to make them a reality. In 2010, the Museum worked with IL Humanities to present the exhibit, New Harmonies, a traveling Smithsonian exhibit, which was part of their Museum on Main Street program. Other support includes grants for developing programs and purchasing equipment, speakers, facilitator training and capacity building workshops, and COVID relief grants. Sue works closely with an engaged board, a team of volunteers, and college interns that combine tried-and-true programs with bold and creative approaches to addressing current issues, sharing local history, and telling personal and collective stories. The Museum builds connections and strengthens the community and has become the heart of the community. Sue’s leadership, devotion to collaboration, and innovative approach are a portrait of how the humanities can make an impact.
This event is Illinois Humanities’ most important annual fundraiser and enables the organization to provide grants and free public humanities programs throughout Illinois. Registration for the virtual event is free to all who want to support Illinois Humanities; donations are encouraged. Register at https://www.ilhumanities.org/events/public-humanities-award-2022/. Contact Morven Higgins at morven.higgins@ilhumanities.org for sponsorship opportunities.
About the other 2022 Public Humanities Award and Beacon Award Recipients
Nicole Bond is an award-winning poet, museum educator, and teaching artist from Chicago who works as an educator at the University of Chicago’s Smart Museum of Art and at Court Theatre. An alum of the IH Odyssey Project, she weaves together words, ideas, media, images, and more, leveraging the humanities to inspire, provoke, and impact individuals and communities throughout Chicago.
Lorenzo Savage is executive director and co-founder of I Am East St. Louis, a magazine and community organization built to “invoke a sense of pride in current and former residents; change the minds of those who believe negative contemporary legends about East St. Louis; and attract new residents, businesses, investors, and developers.” He is a creative, collaborative, and committed leader who creates change through the humanities in his town and beyond.
Beacon Award recipient, Art for Justice, was founded in 2017 by Agnes Gund to end mass incarceration in the United States and the racism that drives it. This six-year catalytic fund ending in 2023 has already made close to $100 million in grants to over 200 artists, advocates, and organizations that are transforming the criminal legal system and creating a future of shared safety for all.