Supporter Spotlight: Kellie Stewart

Indiana Humanities thrives because of the generosity of our donors — individuals and corporate supporters alike — who help us bring the humanities to life across the state. Their contributions fuel public programs, fund grants, and provide Indiana communities with meaningful opportunities to think, read, and talk. To celebrate their impact, we’re spotlighting the donors who make our work possible, going behind the gift and sharing their stories.  

For our new Supporter Spotlight series, we had the opportunity to connect with Kellie Stewart — a new member of our Meredith Nicholson Society, which is a special subset of our donor base that you can learn more about here. We’ve developed a series of five questions for our Society members to better understand their dedication to supporting the humanities.

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Why do the humanities matter to you?

When I think of the humanities, I think of all these wonderful tools that help to reflect back what it is to be human. Now more than ever, we must remember that we all share in this human experience. Whenever I hear a poem that captures an emotion that may have before felt unique to me or learn about an event in history that is being echoed in today’s headlines, I find comfort in knowing that we’re walking side by side on paths that have been forged by those who have come before us. And in our wake, we’ll leave behind our own footprints.

What’s your favorite humanities discipline (and why)?

I’ve always loved storytelling. Since I was very young, I’d often ask for someone to “tell me a story.” My favorite way to experience a new place or get to know another person is to hear their stories. Storytelling is one of the oldest human traditions. As far as we can tell, we’ve always done this. I find it absolutely fascinating and magical that thousands of years ago, our ancestors sat around fires and passed down their knowledge, history, and legends through story, which was necessary for the survival and strengthening of the community. So much has changed since then, but here we are still sitting around fires and telling stories. If you ask me, it’s just as essential to our survival and creation of community as it was back then. 

What are you feeling curious about lately?

I’m most curious about how to create community in a way that feels meaningful and organic and does not involve the use of technology. I feel this pull to spend less time online and more time sitting around that fire I mentioned. Around this fire, people can share their art, their magic and passions — what they’re curious about or learning about and share that with the group. I suppose I’m looking for the adult version of show-and-tell. 

What’s your all-time favorite Indiana Humanities experience?

So many come to mind — Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest, House of 1,000 Spirits, and so many speakers I’ve had the opportunity to hear at Indiana Humanities events — but, one that stands out is the author talk with Kaveh Akbar in collaboration with Tomorrow Bookstore and Butler MFA. It was the first time I had the opportunity to hear Kaveh speak and it was enthralling from start to finish. It also felt quite special to welcome him back to Indy and hear his thoughts on everything from Martyr! and creativity to basketball and the world we live in. I left that event feeling like I could change the world. 

Why do you support Indiana Humanities?

Indiana Humanities, as a community and as an organization, has been a safe place for me over the past few years as I’ve made Indianapolis my home. I know that when I step into the Nicholson House or attend an Indiana Humanities event, I’m going to learn something that I’m glad I learned and I’m going to meet someone I’m glad I met. I know that people all over Indiana benefit from these programs and events and grants, like I do. How could I not support that? We need that. It keeps me hopeful and full of interesting facts.