Gem State Grant

The Community Library (Ketchum) received $10,000 to develop public programs of various formats tied to their Wood River Museum. The programming is in collaboration with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.

Mission –Bringing information, ideas, and individuals together to enhance the cultural life of the community. We strive to promote literacy, encourage community conversations, provide contemplative space, foster creativity, and deepen a sense of place in central Idaho.

“We are thrilled and honored to have received a Gem State Grant! It will be instrumental in enabling The Community Library’s new Wood River Museum of History and Culture to establish and build a long-term relationship with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.” -Carter Hedberg, Director of Philanthropy

The City of Pocatello (Pocatello) received $10,000 for the planning/early stages of a documentary focusing on Pocatello's Triangle neighborhood. The neighborhood grew out of redlining and was home to a multi-cultural population.

Mission Statement: “Pocatello is a vibrant community promoting a high quality of life through innovation, growth, respect, inclusiveness and pride in who we are.”Statement, “The City of Pocatello is excited to have received the Gem State Grant from the Idaho Humanities Council. These funds will be used to spotlight the Triangle Historic Neighborhood in Pocatello through the planning of a documentary on the subject. The Triangle has played a significant role in the diversity and history of the community and the documentary will provide greater understand and strength to the identity of Pocatello.” – Jim Anglesey, Long-Range Senior Planner | Planning & Development Services

Wassmuth Center for Human Rights (Boise) received $10,000 to conduct a needs assessment and strategic planning to steer the organization for the future.

Mission Statement: To promote respect for dignity and diversity through education and to foster individual responsibility to work for peace and justice.

"The Wassmuth Center is embarking on an exciting new phase in our organizational journey.Our new education building, expected to be completed by June 2024, will both embody our existing human rights education work in its function and design, and allow us to expand and deepen our programming, resources, and reach.The Center staff and Board want to be very intentional in preparing for this next phase and this grant will provide much needed support for strategic planning and capacity building. We are so grateful to the Idaho Humanities Council!” –Christina Bruce-Bennion, Executive Director

Story Story Night (Boise) received $5,000 to bring in seven storytellers from across the seven regions of Idaho to represent the state. The stories will be shared from a personal perspective, highlighting various points of view.

Mission Statement: Story Story Night builds community and inspires connection through authentic storytelling.

"Receiving a Gem State Grant for our live production of Starry Story Night: THE BiG DIPPER allows Story Story Night to develop and produce our most ambitious public performance in the history of our organization and reach beyond our usual boundaries —to dip into the entire state of Idaho with a storyteller coming from each of our seven regions," said Artistic Director Jodi Eichelberger. "As the newly appointed City of Boise Cultural Ambassador, bringing diverse voices to Boise to weave together one grand story of living in Idaho fits perfectly with this role and our mission as a storytelling organization. All seven storytellers will join Story Story Night for a live performance, giving voice to the rich and diverse lived experiences reflective of the Gem State."