Public humanities grants provided through CHPS continue to support collaborative, community-oriented engagements on historical memory, activism, and representation.
“Sharing Caribbean Experiences and Perspectives in Panama,” was a free public program hosted by John Nemmers and Betsy Bemis of the UF Panama Canal Museum Collection. Co-sponsored by SAMAAP (Sociedad de Amigos del Museo Afroantillano de Panamá), the event featured a screening of the documentary “Overcoming Barriers” by SAMAAP, focusing on oral histories of former Panama Canal employees. Nemmers and Bemis presented on oral histories, and curated a traveling exhibit on Caribbean history and culture related to the Panama Canal to an audience of 117 community members. Audience engagement included discussions led by community leaders, and oral history participants, fostering a rich exchange of perspectives and historical insights.
Hosted by Alana Jackson, with the UF Center for Arts in Medicine, “Arts for Health Awareness: Recovery in Community,” was a multi-faceted program aimed at tackling public health issues effectively and sustainably. The program convened historically marginalized communities, artists, students, and mental health advocates in an exploration of resilience and connection through the arts. This inclusive event featured theatrical productions, workshops in storytelling and dance, and panels on mental health. Partnerships with local departments and the Art Prevails Project facilitated broader community engagement, while the presence of mental health organizations underscored a commitment to holistic well-being. Attendees praised the program for its impactful portrayal of diverse lived experiences, and its role in nurturing community solidarity.
“Students we worked with through workshops and in classrooms were able to engage in new ways with the content, with the arts, and with the broader community, in ways that gave them new tools for creativity and support for their own life outlook and mental wellbeing.” — Alana Jackson