“The Most Southern Place on Earth”

NEH Landmarks of American History Workshops for School Teachers

at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi

June 18-24 & July 9-15, 2023

Welcome to “The Most Southern Place on Earth: Music, History, and Culture in the Mississippi Delta,” two Summer Landmarks of American History workshops for K-12 educators sponsored by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

And welcome to the Mississippi Delta, a place of paradox and contrast, a place described by Will Campbell as being “of mean poverty and garish opulence.” A place that has produced great authors yet continues to suffer from illiteracy. A place that has produced great wealth for a few but persistent poverty for many. A place of privilege for some and disadvantage for others. A place that has produced powerful political leaders, both for and against segregation. A place where racial and social injustice have been and continue to be resisted. A place of unquestioned artistic creativity that has given the world both the Blues and rock ‘n’ roll, and is also home to Charley Pride, Conway Twitty, Bobby Gentry, Sam Cooke, Mose Allison and B. B. King. This is the Mississippi Delta, a microcosm of America, The most American place on earth.

Eligibility Requirements

These projects are designed principally for full-time or part-time teachers and librarians in public, charter, independent, and religiously affiliated schools, as well as home schooling parents. Museum educators and other K-12 school system personnel—such as administrators, substitute teachers, and curriculum developers—are also eligible to participate. Participants must be United States citizens, residents of U.S. jurisdictions, or foreign nationals who have been residing in the United States or its territories for at least the three years immediately preceding the application deadline. Foreign nationals teaching abroad at non-U.S. chartered institutions are not eligible to participate.

Participants may not be delinquent in the repayment of federal debt (e.g., taxes, student loans, child support payments, and delinquent payroll taxes for household or other employees).

Individuals may not apply to an NEH Landmarks of American History and Culture program whose director is a family member, is affiliated with the prospective applicant’s institution, or is someone with whom the prospective applicant has previously studied.

To be considered eligible, applicants must submit a complete application as indicated on the individual Landmarks program website.

At least three spaces per week (up to six spaces total for a program) will be reserved for teachers who are new to the profession (five years or less of teaching experience).

Deadline for 2023:

Applications MUST BE Submitted NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023

Application materials sent to the NEH will not be reviewed.

Notification of Admittance: Monday, APril 3, 2023

DEADLINE FOR ACCEPTING ADMISSION TO THE WORKSHOP: FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023

The National Endowments for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom

Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Endowment programs do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age. For further information, write to the Equal Opportunity Officer, National Endowment for the Humanities, 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024.

TDD: 202-606-8282 (this is a special telephone device for the Deaf).

Learn More about the Workshop Criteria

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