More than 20 communities awarded funding for Frankenstein programs

More than 20 organizations from across the state have received funding to help bring Frankenstein scholars to their cities to offer talks about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in celebration of the novel’s 200th anniversary. The grants are part of Indiana Humanities’ One State / One Story: Frankenstein initiative, which includes a speakers bureau of intriguing talks about Mary Shelley’s timeless tale.

Frankenstein speakers bureau grants were awarded to 19 organizations; each of those organizations will hold lectures about a variety of topics related to Frankenstein. Speakers will include Cassandra Bausman, Rebecca Baumann (pictured above), Emily Beckman, Richard Gunderman, Adam Henze, Greg Kishbaugh, Adrienne Provenzano, and Matthew Weedman. Selected organizations include:

• Bartholomew County Public Library – Hope Branch | Hope
• Carmel Clay Public Library | Carmel
• Covenant Christian High School | Indianapolis
• Crown Point Public Library | Crown Point
• Danville Public Library | Danville
• Dubois Branch Library | Dubois
• Eckhart Public Library | Auburn
• Flora Public Library | Flora
• Irvington Historical Society | Indianapolis
• Jeffersonville Township Public Library | Jeffersonville
• La Porte County Public Library | La Porte
• Monticello-Union Township Library | Monticello
• Morgan County Public Library | Martinsville
• Purdue University Fort Wayne History Department | Fort Wayne
• Science Central | Fort Wayne
• Scientech | Indianapolis
• St. Joseph County Public Library | South Bend
• Sullivan County Public Library | Sullivan
• Washington Carnegie Public Library | Washington

Three Indianapolis organizations were also selected to receive a Community Read grant of $1,000, thanks to funding from The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate. These organizations will join 62 others across the state (awarded earlier this year) to hold their own discussions, speaker programs and other festivities for participants. In addition to the $1,000, recipients will receive a “starter kit” of promotional materials as well as planning and communications resources to help them host successful events. Selected organizations include:

• Ben Davis University High School
• Irvington Preparatory Academy
• St. Richard’s Episcopal School

“Frankenstein eerily anticipated many of debates we are now having about science and technology, including artificial intelligence and genetic engineering,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. “We’re excited to connect Hoosier communities to scholars from around Indiana to think and talk about these and ideas, as well as learn more about the origins and impact of Shelley’s influential book.”