The Wisconsin Humanities Council and the Center for the Humanities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are now inviting nominations for worthy individuals, programs and organizations to receive 2003 awards. Nominations are being sought for excellence in each of four award categories: K-12 Humanities Education, Public Humanities Programming, Public Humanities Support and Public Humanities Scholarship. Anyone can nominate an individual or program, and nominations are due January 31, 2003.

The public humanities build bridges between people and ideas. The disciplines traditionally associated with the humanities include history, languages, literature, philosophy, religious studies, ethics and other related fields. Public humanities programming can offer individuals and communities critical thinking skills and exposure to other cultures that are invaluable for successful navigation of the twenty-first century.

WHC Executive Director Max Harris said, "We are seeking to recognize those individuals and organizations who make significant contributions to furthering public understanding of the humanities. We've sent over 6,000 nomination forms to schools, museums, historical societies, colleges and many other supporters of the humanities throughout the state."

Last year, five Governor's Humanities Awards were presented to individual Wisconsinites as well as to Wisconsin organizations that promote the humanities. Honorees included a high school teacher who coordinated exemplary oral history projects; two life-long supporters of humanities projects and organizations throughout Wisconsin; an interdisciplinary festival on the work of Jane Austen; and the multi- faceted "Esperanza Project," which explored topics such as labor history, women's rights issues and artist blacklisting.

For more information about submitting a nomination for the sixth annual awards, please contact the Wisconsin Humanities Council at 608-262-0706, or check the Internet at www.wisconsinhumanities.org.

Governor-elect Jim Doyle has been invited to present the 2003 Governor's Humanities Awards. The award ceremony will take place in Madison on Friday, May 2, 2003. The awards are made possible by Governor's Humanities Awards Underwriters: University of Wisconsin-Extension, Midwest Express Airlines and Terry and Judy Paul. Further support comes from Patrons: The Boldt Company; the Wisconsin Educators Association Council; the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters; and The Douglas Stewart Company; and Sponsors: the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.