Outstanding Project Award

Acknowledging the value of historical understanding to the general public, and the fact that this understanding results from a variety of public history projects, the National Council on Public History’s Outstanding Public History Project Award recognizes excellence in work completed within the previous two calendar years (2007 and 2008) that contributes to a broader public reflection and appreciation of the past or that serves as a model of professional public history practice. The annual Outstanding Public History Project Award consists of a $1,000 cash prize and a framed certificate presented at the NCPH Annual Meeting. Award winners also receive complimentary registration for the annual meeting and for the awards luncheon.

Projects by individuals, groups, community organizations, businesses, or other organizations—or work done in support of such projects—may be nominated.   Individuals or organizational entities responsible for the project may nominate themselves, be nominated by others familiar with the project, or be nominated by the award selection committee itself. These projects include, but are not limited to, the following areas.

Media, such web pages, web-based video, audio, blogs, documentaries, and films (DVD etc.)

Exhibits in museums, cultural centers, and other public venues

Public Programs, such as lecture series, walking tours, oral history projects, outreach activity, educational offerings, workshops, etc.

Written Works, such as research, reports, brochures, working papers, etc. or historical fiction (including books), that contribute to larger public history efforts to broaden public history understanding.

Please note that non-fiction books and journal articles are not eligible for this award.

Nominations and supporting materials should specifically address four equally weighted criteria:

   (1) the creativity and/or innovativeness of the approach;
   (2) the quality of historical research and interpretation resulting from the use of material culture,
   oral history, or any other appropriate form of documentary evidence;
   (3) the social, civic, and/or intellectual impact of the project; and,
   (4) the professionalism of the history practitioner(s) involved.

Procedures and Submission Requirements

1. Nominations should be submitted in the form of a written narrative not to exceed 1,000 words and clearly address the four criteria. The project’s primary and secondary audience, if applicable, should also be identified in the narrative.

2. Nominations for projects such a s DVD, video, CD, etc. should include copies of the production, submitted with the written narrative and other materials.

3. Nominations should include pertinent supporting documents, such as a copy of the nominee's resume or curriculum vitae if available. If the nominee is an organization or institution, information on its governance, mission, and size should also be provided. Other materials, such as letters of support or formal reviews from newspapers, magazines, or professional journals, are encouraged. Nominations for exhibits, public programs, and most media projects should include examples of feedback from the public; wherever possible and appropriate, nominations for written works also should include such feedback.

4. Send four copies of nominations and materials, each with a cover sheet, to NCPH Awards, 327 Cavanaugh – IUPUI, 425 University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN, 46202-5140; or by email to ncph@iupui.edu with “Award Submission” in subject line. If emailed, nominations must be sent in one complete document (MS Word or a PDF).

Submissions must be postmarked by 8 January 2009.

A challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities makes possible our expanding awards program and other uses of earned income on the NCPH endowment. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.