AZ Humanities Council educates through public speaking forum
Victor Allen
Staff Reporter
The Arizona Humanities Council was founded in 1973 as an independent nonprofit organization working in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Its purpose is to support public programs in heritage, community, dialogue, books, reading, and teacher education. The AHC sponsors a total of 13 programs.
One of the many community involvement programs sponsored by the Humanities Council is the Speakers Bureau. Its’ purpose is to transport scholars, teachers, tribal leaders, elders, and qualified cultural practitioners into the community with a public speaking forum. Individuals participating in the program encourage cultural diversity by speaking on topics they specialize in.
For instance, Dr. Gilbert Cruz, resident faculty member here at Glendale Community College, has been involved in the Speakers Bureau for 2 years. Cruz has a P.h.D in American history, was a Fulbright Scholar to South America in 1979, and served as a historian and research consultant for the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Dr. Cruz presents two topics of historical significance to the community. One is “The Day the Corn Mother Returned: Our Lady of Guadalupe,” a narration on the significance of the Guadalupe tradition in a secular world. The other is “Eusebio Francisco Kino, S.J.: What Happened on the Way to Washington, D.C.” a lecture about the life of Father Kino, the discovery of his skeletal remains and efforts to have him recognized by the U.S. Congress.
“The GCC faculty has had a tradition of community service for many years. I am doing this because I believe in this custom,” Cruz enthusiastically said of his experience in the Speakers Bureau. “I also get a great deal of satisfaction from knowing that I am contributing to a greater understanding and appreciation for the marvelous heritage of the state of Arizona.”
“Additionally, when my lectures are over, I have a chance to engage in conversations with the audience on a personal level. Many older people attending the lectures want to know more about Arizona during the territorial years and ask questions about stage coaches, steam boats, mining and ranching,” Cruz said. “These are times some of them actually lived through. It’s very rewarding.”
Dr. Carol Drachler teaches art history at Mesa Community College and has been a member of the Speakers Bureau for fifteen years.
“Frank Lloyd Wright: Architect and Genius in Our Backyard,” and “Georgia O’Keeffe: She Did it Her Way,” are just two of the many presentation Drachler gives.
In addition, she celebrates women’s painting, sculpture, architecture, and decorative arts in her slide presentation. She also explores issues such as gender discrimination in training, patronage, and recognition of women in the art community.
“I speak 4 to 5 times per year and enjoy it immensely. I speak to an audience who ordinarily would not get a chance to hear about these subjects,” Drachler said of her longstanding membership with the Bureau.“Not everyone gets a chance to attend art school or college.”
Additionally, Drachler said that people who attend her lectures are “anxious to hear what you have to say (and) many individuals have driven a considerable distance to attend.”
“The number of people who approach me after a lecture and ask for more information on a particular artist or subject always impresses me,” Drachler said of the feedback on her lectures. “They want to know about other books and museums they can go to and follow up on what they have learned.”
In addition, Drachler has the opportunity to speak to a younger generation of people.
“Speaking to 5 and 6-year-olds in libraries is a special treat,” Drachler said. “Reaching students at the pre-school age is important to their development..”
Dr. Betsy Fahlman, professor of art history at ASU Main campus, has been a speaker for the Bureau for 7 years. Her speaking engagements range from 4 to 5 times per year.
Her lecture topics are“The Spirit of Adventure: Women Artists of the West,” and “Posters and the American Homefront during W.W.II”.
Fahlman explores the W.W.II from the vantage point of those who were not directly involved in the war. The experience of American civilians during wartime is unique and important.
Her talk on “Women Artists” includes many instances and stories about talented women who worked in the region from 1850 to 1950.
Fahlman gives this advice to individuals interested in participating in the program;
The GCC Faculty has had a tradition of community service for many years. I am [speaking] because I believe in this custom.
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“There will be some problems however they are small and easy to over come,” Fahlman said. “You need to understand that being a public speaker for the Bureau is about giving to the community.”
“I remember speaking in Parker, AZ. about the American experience during W.W.II,” Fahlman said of her experiences. “Imagine my surprise when three veterans, all survivors of the Pearl Harbor bombing, came up and shared their experiences with me!”
Jay Cravath was named Arizona Humanity Council’s Distinguished Scholar in 1994 and teaches music and humanities at Humphrey Elementary School in Chandler.
Cravath presents two topics; “The Ballad of Arizona,” a musical time capsule of everyday life in Arizona, and “Kokopelli: The Mystery of a Flute Player.”
‘I was invited to join the Bureau in 1989. At the time, they did not have anyone speaking on music in a cultural context,” Cravath said about how he got involved in the program. “I focus my talks on ethnology and music so I fit into the program quite well.’’
“I believe humanities are essential to education and life. They make life richer, give us perspective, and keep our curiosity alive,” Cravath said. “I get a tremendous sense of satisfaction in sharing ideas about music, stories, and history. The real enjoyment is feeling the audience respond with enthusiasm equal to my own.”
“There’s a little state park in Tubac, AZ. It used to be an old Spanish presidio. Each year they celebrate Anza Days,” Cravath said. “I took my son with me one time and asked him if he would help me sing a song to the people. He said [he would], so between Casa Grande and Tucson I taught him Old Man Tucker. He sang with me on stage, he was 7 years old at the time. It’s a very special memory!"
The Arizona Humanities Council is reaching out to the community asking for qualified speakers to participate in the 2000-2001 Speakers Bureau.
Those interested in an opportunity to invest in the community by giving of themselves and their time they can do so by calling 257-0335.
The AHC pays member speakers a $125 to $150 honorarium plus travel expenses to give humanities related talks throughout the state to non-profit organizations. Applicants should hold an advanced degree in one of the humanity disciplines, but exceptions can be made for tribal leaders, traditional teachers, and other cultural practitioners. |
