Georgia Humanities

There's still time to nominate for the 2026 Governor's Awards for the Arts and Humanities! Help us celebrate the people and organizations making an impact in your community. Nominations are open until June 26!

Nominate today: https://www.georgiahumanities.org/programs/governors-awards-for-the-arts-humanities/

Do you know an artist, performer, writer, designer, donor, board member, educator, or community leader making an impact through the arts in Georgia? We want to celebrate them!

Nominations for the Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities are open through June 26. Help us recognize the individuals strengthening Georgia’s creative and cultural communities – nominate here: https://georgia.org/ArtsGovAwards

Pictured: 2025 Governor’s Awards honoree Union County Historical Society. Photo credit: jm photographics

Our National History Day Georgia students are in College Park, Maryland, this week competing at the national contest and sharing their original research on "Revolution, Reaction, Reform." We couldn't be prouder of these young historians!

Two National History Day Georgia students will see their projects featured in the Smithsonian!

Congratulations to Ari Harper and Jack Plemper, whose research will appear in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of American History next week.

What does democracy look like when it arrives in a small-town art center?

This week, we're finding out.

Today, Georgia Humanities arrived in Hartwell for the installation of Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service that explores the people, movements, and moments that have shaped our nation's democratic journey.

After a successful run in Eatonton, Hartwell is the second Georgia community to host the exhibition as part of Georgia Humanities' Museum on Main Street program.

Today, the Hartwell Arts Center is being transformed with interactive displays, historical artifacts, photographs, videos, and stories that invite visitors to reflect on the history and future of civic participation in America.

We're excited to invite the community to join us for the Opening Reception on Saturday, June 6, from 5:00–8:00 PM. This special evening will celebrate the arrival of this nationally recognized Smithsonian exhibition and the local stories that connect Hartwell to the broader American democratic experience.

The exhibition will be on display June 7–July 19, 2026.

A heartfelt thank you to our local sponsor, Hart Telephone Company; Amanda Brown and the Hart County Chamber of Commerce; Jason Ford and the Hart County Development Authority; the Art Center of Hartwell; Hartwell Main Street; Discover Hartwell; and the many volunteers and community partners who have welcomed us so warmly and are helping bring this Smithsonian exhibition to life in Hartwell.

We can't wait to open the doors and welcome visitors to experience this remarkable exhibition.

That’s a wrap!

Thank you to the Georgia Writers Museum and Putnam County Government for being the first host of Smithsonian Institution Museum on Main Street. We are especially grateful to Melissa Swindell and Lyn Romaine for helping Georgia Humanities bring this exhibit to Eatonton, and to Lou Benjamin and Lyn for all the work and care you put into hosting the exhibit in your community.

We appreciate your partnership and support.

See you in Hartwell on June 6th!



Lou Benjamin, Jen Welborn, Sandy Kusuda, Jennifer Garlock, Lyn Romaine, and Eric Arena

We're now accepting nominations for the 2026 Governor's Awards for the Arts and Humanities! Help us recognize the people and organizations making a lasting impact on our state's culture and communities.

Follow the link to learn more, and submit your nomination by June 26: https://www.georgiahumanities.org/programs/governors-awards-for-the-arts-humanities/

DUE JUNE 26: Nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities are now open!

Presented by the Office of the Governor in partnership with Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia Humanities, the awards recognize individuals and organizations making a meaningful impact across Georgia through community development, innovative programs, historical preservation, and long-term investment in the arts and humanities.

Know someone doing important work in your community? Submit a nomination today at: https://www.cognitoforms.com/GDECD1/_2026GovernorsAwardsForTheArtsHumanities

We are so proud of this year's Team Georgia! These 71 hardworking students are headed to College Park, Maryland, this June to compete against students from across the country in the National History Day national competition.

Middle Georgia: There's just a little over one week left to see the Smithsonian exhibition "Voices & Votes: Democracy in America" in Eatonton.

Can't make it by the 31st? "Voices & Votes" will be stopping at Hartwell, Cartersville, Mount Vernon, Brunswick, Dawson, and the Georgia National Fair in Perry.

The Georgia Humanities Board of Directors is pleased to announce Jen Welborn as Interim President!

Jen steps into this leadership role at an exciting time for our organization as we continue expanding programs that connect Georgians through history, culture, education, and civic engagement.

This spring, we’ve celebrated:

• 494 students competing at National History Day Georgia
• The launch of the Smithsonian’s “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” Georgia tour
• The debut of the Georgia Circuit Speakers Bureau

We’re grateful for the communities, educators, volunteers, and partners who make this work possible throughout the state.

Learn more at georgiahumanities.org.