History: Indiana Humanities Council

Virginia Ball, born January 1, 1919, discusses her early life and education. She discusses the beginning of the IHC and the original committee. She talks about the changes it underwent during the six plus years she served on the board, and about the innovative nature of it. She also discusses the wonderful rapport between staff and the importance of the IHC.

Robert E. Burns, born November 3, 1927, discusses his early life and education. After spending some time in Washington working for a senator, he was drawn into grant and proposal writing when he returned to his position at the University of Notre Dame. Through this, he was then recruited to be a founding member of the IHC. He recalls his experiences and his surprise at being one of five independent people to whom the government gave money to reallocate as grants. After three years, he left the council. He discusses his reasons for leaving and the changes which had occurred since he began.

Terry L. Davis, born March 28, 1953, discusses her early life, education, and work experience. She began working for the Indiana Humanities Council (IHC) when she decided to get out of the corporate world and into not-for-profit. She discusses the many changes the IHC has undergone since its start including its name change from the Indiana Committee for the Humanities, its move into fundraising, and its growth. Davis discusses the fundraising that occurs and how it gives a little independence from the National Endowment for the Humanities and other federal funding. She talks about the committees and the progress the IHC has made in Indiana and about what the future may bring. She also discusses the great impact the IHC has made on her life.

Kenneth Gladish, born in July 1952, discusses his early life and education. He discusses his interest in the humanities and the work he'd done through the IHC. He talks about a program called the Resource Center. He discusses the IHC staff, various projects which they fund, fundraising, and the innovation of the Council. Gladish talks about the changes that have occurred during his tenure. He also discusses the importance of the IHC.

Dr. Kenneth Gros Louis, born on December 18, 1936, discusses his early life and education. He discusses becoming involved with the IHC when it was known as the Indiana Committee for the Humanities, first through writing grants for projects for the Indiana University English Department, then by serving on the board. He discusses the duties of the board members as well as board- staff relations. He discusses the goals of the IHC, the criteria for funding a project, and the virtues of the council. He talks about the changes the council underwent during his six years, including the beginning of fundraising and the evolution of the Resource Center. Dr. Gros Louis also shares some memorable experiences of his time with the council.

Marvin E. Hartig, born in 1925, discusses his early life and education. He recalls being one of the five founding members of the IHC. He discusses the original guidelines, goals, themes, and criteria for projects, especially the need for a discussion pertaining to public policy in each project funded. He discusses the beginning of fundraising for the IHC. He talks about the changes that have occurred since his time and he expresses some of his concerns about these changes. Hartig distinguishes between the arts and the humanities. He also discusses the values of the IHC.

Anya Peterson Royce, born in 1940, discusses her early life, education, and work as a classical ballerina. She discusses becoming involved with the IHC as an academic through her interest in the humanities. She differentiates between the arts and the humanities and her involvement in both. She talks about staff and board relations tensions, annual retreats, and her role as chair. Royce discusses fundraising and its importance for the Council's independence from the National Endowment for the Humanities and for more project grants. She discusses the criteria for funding projects as well as the importance and the values of the IHC.

Martin Schwartz, born March 27, 1917, discusses his family history as well as his early life and education. He talks about his experiences during World War II, including work in the Office of Price Administration. He discusses his interest in academics and activism, and getting involved with the IHC and with American Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam (AMVETS). Schwartz recalls a few people and practices during his tenure as well as staff relations. He discusses the changes that have occurred in the council over the years, including the work he did founding the Federation of State Humanities Councils so that all states could be "on the same page." He also talks about the importance of the IHC.

Alan Shusterman, born on May 1, 1948, discusses his involvement with the IHC during its early days. He discusses the growth and changes the IHC went through during his time there, including goals, fundraising, committees, and computers. He talks about how fundraising gave the IHC more independence from the national Endowment for the Humanities. Shusterman talks about the kinds of programs they funded and the rapport between the board and the staff. He discusses leaving the IHC to delve into his interest in computers. He also talks about the importance of the IHC to the community.

Martin Sullivan, born in February 1944, discusses his early life and education. He discusses the beginning of the IHC, the pressures, confusion and growth that went into it-- especially in publicizing its existence, and finding worthy public policy projects. He discusses the selection process for board members, and how they worked together. He recalls memorable early projects which they funded. He talks about the changes that occurred creating more flexibility in criteria for projects and fundraising. Sullivan talks about leaving the IHC to work for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and discusses the work he did there. He talks about work experiences following the NEH. He discusses the value of state humanities councils, and the great impact such work had on his life.