The Smithsonian's Voices and Votes--American Democracy: Applications Accepted until August 13, 2020 Michigan Humanities is partnering with the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street program to bring the traveling exhibit Voices and Votes: Democracy in America to Michigan in 2021. Six host communities will have the opportunity to host the exhibit rent-free for six weeks. When American revolutionaries waged a war for independence they took a leap of faith that sent ripple effects across generations. They embraced a radical idea of establishing a government that entrusted the power of the nation not in a monarchy, but in its citizens. That great leap sparked questions that continue to impact Americans: who has the right to vote, what are the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens, and whose voices will be heard? Voices and Votes: Democracy in America will be a springboard for discussions about those very questions and how they are reflected in local stories. Voices and Votes is based on a major exhibition currently on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. This Museum on Main Street adaptation will have many of the same dynamic features: historical and contemporary photos; educational and archival video; engaging multimedia interactives with short games and additional footage, photos, and information; and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material. To learn more about becoming a host site and to apply please visit the Michigan Humanities website: https://www.michiganhumanities.org/<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.michiganhumanities.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7CNorrisS2%40michigan.gov%7C26f989a7ba9c4a9cf4f308d8227dbf8b%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637297270769542731&sdata=hIVgxz3kw485pJ%2BB7qfA9uNLhztW1DKbeiwMqaU7%2FkY%3D&reserved=0> For questions about the exhibit please contact Director of Grants, James Nelson, by email at jnelson@mihumanities.org<mailto:jnelson@mihumanities.org>. Sonya Schryer Norris Library Consultant Library of Michigan Michigan Department of Education 517-335-1498 Norriss2@michigan.gov<mailto:Norriss2@michigan.gov> https://michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan https://mel.org<https://mel.org/> http://michlibrary.org<http://michlibrary.org/> I am on temporary lay-off status on Mondays only from May 18 - July 20. You have the power to shape your future, and the future of all children, by counting everyone in your home in the 2020 Census<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmy2020census.gov%2F&data=02%7C01%7CNorrisS2%40michigan.gov%7Ce7ec159400914a99c42d08d7d5c450e1%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C0%7C637212911508123639&sdata=xx6zojNDhjfJla%2F0VwFZ7lWKmBZx7vtJ3Y%2BMUagjNL4%3D&reserved=0>. [A close up of a sign Description automatically generated]