Extraordinary individuals and organizations
are working throughout Washington State to ensure that the humanities are a part of our lives.

The Humanities Washington Award, given in memory of Heather C. Frank of Yakima, recognizes outstanding and exemplary achievement in the public humanities. This award is presented annually to an individual or organization whose time and talents enlarge the meaning of the humanities in our lives and whose work reflects the spirit and programs of Humanities Washington.

Humanities Washington is proud to present the 2009 award to Donivan Johnson of Metaline Falls for individual achievement and to the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture of Spokane for organizational achievement.

For more than 30 years, Humanities Washington, in collaboration with a wide range of cultural organizations, has supported public humanities programs throughout Washington. In 1995, Humanities Washington initiated an annual award memorializing Heather C. Frank of Yakima. Heather C. Frank was a dedicated and articulate supporter of the public humanities throughout her lifetime and gave generously of herself to a variety of cultural community activities. The award recognizes an individual or organization for outstanding achievement in the public humanities. Past recipients: Ron Chew (1995); Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center (1996); John Terrey (1997); Sherry Prowda (1998); Barbara Krohn (1999); Linda Jaech (2000); Delma Tayer (2001); Karen and Ralph Munro (2002); Nancy Pearl (2003); Tom Ikeda (2004); Ruth Kirk (2005); Vi Hilbert (2006); Lela Hilton (2007); and Judy Trefethen (2008).

Learn about the past recipients of the Humanities Washington Award.