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Public Humanities Awards

(image of Sherry Williams by John Boehm)

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On behalf of Illinois Humanities, thank you for coming to celebrate the 2024 Public Humanities Awards!

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    Public Humanities Award recipients Mark and Nadine York. (All photos by GlitterGuts.)

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    In the center, Public Humanities Award recipient Sherry Williams.

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    Left, Beacon Award recipient Jane Saks and Public Humanities Award recipient Dr. Ada Cheng.

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    2019 Public Humanities Award recipient Cheryl Lynn Bruce performs an original piece in honor of Jane Saks.

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    Illinois Humanities Executive Director Gabrielle Lyon pauses for a photo op.

Thank you for joining us at the 2024 Public Humanities Awards luncheon as we honored Illinois trailblazers in arts, advocacy, and community building.

We were delighted to celebrate this year's Public Humanities Award honorees. Each of these individuals has made an indelible impact on Illinois through their work and support of the humanities, highlighting the power of storytelling and inclusion in strengthening Illinois' civic fabric. 

The Beacon Award was presented to Jane M. Saks, Resident/Artistic Director of Project&, and Co-Creator and Artistic Director of Monuments2Movements

The Public Humanities Awards honorees:

  • Ada Cheng, Storyteller, Speaker, Educator, Illinois Humanities Road Scholar, and 2023-24 Lund-Gill Endowed Chair at Dominican University
  • Sherry Williams, Founder and Executive Director, Bronzeville / Black Chicagoan Historical Society
  • Mark and Nadine York, Civic Leaders, Gallatin County Tourism Committee and the Ohio River Visitors Center

On May 22, 2024, Illinois Humanities, along with friends, partners, and humanists celebrated these dynamic champions of the public humanities in Illinois! This event was Illinois Humanities’ most important annual fundraiser and raises critical general operating dollars to support our free public humanities programs and grants throughout Illinois. Support us today.

For questions about the Public Humanities Awards, please contact Morven Higgins at morven.higgins@ilhumanities.org or (312) 422-5584.

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Guests enjoy the 2024 Public Humanities Awards ceremony. (All photos by GlitterGuts.)

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Illinois Humanities Staff

Meet the 2024 Award Recipients

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*Illinois Humanities Board Member

Last Updated: May 3, 2024

Thank you to our sponsors!

We are grateful to all of our sponsors and supporters. You help us continue our statewide mission.

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Last Updated: May 19, 2024

About the Public Humanities Awards Ceremony

Established in 1984, Illinois Humanities' Public Humanities Awards Ceremony celebrates people who have made an indelible impact on our state through their work in and support of the humanities, honoring them with the Public Humanities Award. This event is Illinois Humanities’ most important annual fundraiser and enables us to provide grants and free public humanities programs throughout Illinois.

Launched in 2020 as part of the Public Humanities Awards Ceremony, the Beacon Award honors an individual who or an organization that has been a champion for – or investor in – the humanities in Illinois, elevating the work of humanists in ways that have improved the quality of the state for its residents.

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