Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · 3d

🎥 The next chapter of our Let’s Rise video series is here!

For #NAHM, we’re exploring the power of stories and history to connect us across generations. These short films remind us why the humanities matter.

Watch now!

pahumanities.org/conversation...

Let’s Rise: Stories of Pennsylvania history - PA Humanities

Welcome to the next installment of LET’S RISE, the PA Humanities statewide video project, created in partnership with Emmy-winning filmmaker Kelly Dessoye in celebration of our 50th anniversary. We're...

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · 4d

🎉 Congrats, Mt. Holly Springs!

We’re proud to celebrate Mt. Holly Springs as an official PA Heart & Soul Community! 💛

This incredible town accomplished so much through its Heart & Soul journey - putting people first, preserving history, sharing stories, and shaping a future rooted in core values.

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · 9d

“I feel like I’m famous somehow."

✨ WOW, what a magical day of #RainPoetry in Harrisburg! Water-activated haiku by young poets were revealed outside the State Library during a joyful public celebration of youth creativity in Pennsylvania.

www.abc27.com/local-news/h...

www.abc27.com

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · 11d

In Youngsville, neighbors are coming together through PA Heart & Soul to celebrate their history, share their stories, and shape a future rooted in pride, connection, and possibility. This is the humanities in action!

pahumanities.org/conversation...

Heart & Soul brings new energy to “The Biggest Little Town” - PA Humanities

Through PA Heart & Soul, Youngsville residents have learned how challenges can become opportunities when people come together and listen to one another. Learn more about how the process is impacting t...

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · 15d

🎥 Ben Speggen of The Jefferson Educational Society and Kyra Taylor of Erie’s Black Wall Street discuss their partnership and how their work to bring people together, discuss big ideas, and encourage entrepreneurship is making a difference in Erie.

youtu.be/Imb5DlSmrOo?...

Entrepreneurship in Erie (50th Videos)

YouTube video by PA Humanities

youtu.be

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · 16d

It’s raining poetry! We held our final #RainPoetry Reading reveal at Lauer's Park Elementary & debuted a beautiful book of the kids' poems.

Coming up in Harrisburg, we have a reveal of poems from across PA on 9/30 @ 10AM at the State Library. Join us!

pahumanities.org/conversation...

From Reading to Harrisburg, Rain Poetry magic spreads statewide - PA Humanities

The Rain Poetry project in Reading came to a joyful close this month with the third and final reveal celebration that brought poets, their families and neighbors together to celebrate the creativity o...

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · 17d

"I don’t think it’s an accident that we’ve had all these opportunities knocking at our door…”

Follow Michelle Bannon, Mayor of Carbondale, as she shares her love for her town and the power of PA Heart & Soul to engage residents and spark positive change.
youtu.be/40a0uc3q6f0?...

Community building in Carbondale (50th Videos)

YouTube video by PA Humanities

youtu.be

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · 19d

We recently joined with coaches and partners from across the country in Minneapolis to celebrate the lasting impact of Community Heart & Soul. Together, we shared ideas, exchanged memories, and strengthened connections with colleagues who inspire us every day.

PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · 23d

🎥 Launching today: our new video series spotlighting the transformational power of the humanities in communities across Pennsylvania!

New batch of videos released each month throughout the rest of the year - give it a watch!

pahumanities.org/conversation...

Let’s Rise: Stories of community - PA Humanities

Welcome to the launch of the PA Humanities statewide video project, a special collection created in partnership with Emmy-winning video journalist and filmmaker Kelly Dessoye to celebrate our 50th ann...

pahumanities.org

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · 25d

On Saturday, we held the final reveal celebration of Rain Poetry Reading, and shared something very special: Colors of My City, a new book from PA Humanities that collects the amazing poems created by youth participants. Give it a read and be inspired!

issuu.com/pahumanities...

Rain Poetry Reading: Colors of My City

Haiku book from the Rain Poetry Reading project, led by PA Humanities.

issuu.com

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · 26d

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance has released “A Look at Theater-Going Habits in Greater Philadelphia,” an important new report exploring how audiences in the region are engaging with theater.

This work builds on our #PACultureCheck study.

www.americantheatre.org/2025/09/12/c...

Cultural Alliance Report: Philly Theatres Lag Behind Post-Pandemic

Though many have regained pre-pandemic attendance levels, theatres remain behind other cultural organizations, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance found.

www.americantheatre.org

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · Sep 8

"I love how they keep focus on our six priorities that we have for our Heart & Soul program... I love every bit of that.” - Mayor Michele Bannon

👏 Congrats Carbondale, we are proud of all our PA Heart & Soul communities!
www.thetimes-tribune.com/2025/09/08/n...

New murals brighten downtown Carbondale

Carbondale is looking more vibrant with half a dozen new murals decorating its downtown.

www.thetimes-tribune.com

PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · Sep 4

The Rain Poetry project in Reading is made possible with the generous support of the Wyomissing Foundation, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, under the administration of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority, and the PA Department of Education. Video by Margo Reed.

PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · Sep 4

The students learned to express themselves through haiku poetry, exploring the topic, “the colors of my city.” Their poems were installed with a water-activated solution at the main library branch, the Northeast branch and Lauer’s Park Elementary.

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · Sep 4

Through this initiative, we engaged young people in hands-on haiku workshops facilitated by teaching artists Adrian Perez-Roman, poet laureate of Berks County, and Caitlin Johnson, the library’s Youth Services Supervisor.

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · Sep 4

🎬 Watch this beautiful video spotlighting the magic of #RainPoetry at Reading Public Library!

youtu.be/cD6_M12Tm8A?...

It’s raining poetry in Reading, PA!

YouTube video by PA Humanities

youtu.be

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · Sep 3

“...this process is absolutely revolutionary in bringing people together..."

Check out our interview with Meadville Mayor Jaime Kinder about how PA Heart & Soul influenced her career in civic leadership and spurred local change.

pahumanities.org/conversation...

Jaime Kinder and the grassroots revolution in Meadville - PA Humanities

Meadville’s PA Heart & Soul process wasn’t a quick fix, but it gave residents a voice and the confidence to demand change in their community. That shift in mindset helped elect new leaders, including ...

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · Sep 2

“I was endlessly grateful I got the chance to see how PA Humanities works up close, and to work on projects that make a difference..”
-Lucy Corrie-Tannen, @haverfordcollege.bsky.social Summer Intern

Check out this wonderful reflection by our recent summer intern!

pahumanities.org/conversation...

Reflections on a summer with PA Humanities - PA Humanities

By Lucy Corrie-Tannen (PA Humanities intern, Haverford College) If there’s one moment from this summer that will stick with me, it’s this one: sitting in my room, phone pressed to my ear, interviewing...

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · Aug 13

"PA Humanities has helped so many cultural organizations in the commonwealth and is now trying to navigate through challenging waters with their federal funding being severely cut..." - Margie Young

www.theabingtonjournal.com/news/112926/...

More than the Movies: PA Humanities provides invaluable support to region | Abington Journal

I retired as program director of the Wyoming County Cultural Center at the Dietrich Theater six years ago, but I was so pleased when Erica asked me to attend a special PA Humanities event at the…

www.theabingtonjournal.com

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · Aug 7

Good news: A federal judge ruled that the NEH’s termination of state humanities council grants was unlawful.

It’s a BIG win but let’s be clear: there is still a long road ahead.

Thank you for your voice and your support.

www.statehumanities.org/federation-g...

Federation of State Humanities Councils Granted Preliminary Injunction in Lawsuit Against NEH - Federation of State Humanities Councils

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Hannah Hethmon, Communications Manager, Federation of State Humanities Councils ([email protected]) FEDERATION OF STATE HUMANITIES COUNCILS GRANTED PREL...

www.statehumanities.org

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · Aug 1

🎉 Congratulations to Youngsville!

Last weekend, neighbors came together at Island Park for a special picnic celebrating the successful completion of the Community Heart & Soul process.

This is just the beginning - we look forward to seeing what comes next!

PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · Jul 31

🌟 We had an inspiring "Friendraiser" this week at the Pittston Memorial Library with humanities champions in northeastern PA! Together, we celebrated the power of the humanities and looked ahead to new opportunities on the horizon.

PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · Jul 29

“... we were able to have a thriving… community that provided all types of services and products that were from Black businesses and Black entrepreneurs. Rarely did we have to go downtown...”

#VoicesofHistoryPittsburgh

pahumanities.org/conversation...

Voices of History: Stories of entrepreneurship - PA Humanities

Welcome to Voices of History, a PA Humanities project inspired by the works of renowned playwright August Wilson and designed to showcase the voices of everyday Black Pennsylvanians. We launched the p...

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PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · Jul 28

As the future of the humanities is being debated, we stand strong in our mission & commitment to Pennsylvania.

Give today & your donation will be matched by the Federation of State Humanities Councils with support from the Mellon Foundation, up to $50K.
pahumanities.org/support-us/g...

Give Today - PA Humanities

Donate Today As the future of federal funding for the humanities is being debated, we stand strong in our mission and our commitment to the people of Pennsylvania.

pahumanities.org

PA Humanities @pahumanities.bsky.social · Jul 25

At the Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library, teens are building friendships and engaging in a vibrant cultural exchange in “Culture Through Cooking,” a Youth-Led Humanities program supported by PA Humanities.

pahumanities.org/conversation...

Bratwurst and egg rolls: cultural cooking sessions spark connection at Norristown library - PA Humanities

This past year, the teens of the Youth-Led Humanities program at the Montgomery-County Norristown Public Library took a hands-on approach to cultural learning. Every other week, they gathered to make ...

pahumanities.org