The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded Albany State University approximately $99,000 to assist with establishing an interdisciplinary museum and heritage studies minor.
Dr. Charles Williams, ASU professor of visual arts in the College of Arts and Humanities, leads the project. He envisions the minor as a 15-credit-hour path that includes internships and one cross-disciplinary course such as business, education, history or computer science.
He describes the program development as a group effort.
“As director of the grant, I am organizing cross-training seminars that will include faculty who want to contribute by developing curriculum or offering their expertise, and local cultural organizations who will provide input into how such a program can suit their needs,” said Williams, who also serves as gallery director for the Department of Visual and Performing Arts and on the board of trustees at the Albany Museum of Art.
The seminars also will include guest participants who work in museums and museum-related fields, he said.
The NEH Humanities Initiatives at Historically Black Colleges and Universities aims to advance the teaching and study of humanities in areas such as literature, history and philosophy at HBCUs.
The seminars will be professional-development opportunities. ASU educators will assess the needs of the cultural organizations and train to develop relevant coursework. Anticipated partnerships include the Albany Civil Rights Institute, the Albany Museum of Art, Thronateeska Heritage Center, the Albany Area Arts Council and the Flint RiverQuarium.
