COEUR d'ALENE - The Idaho Humanities Council was established 40 years ago to promote greater awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the humanities in Idaho.

Today, arts, culture and historical education endeavors throughout North Idaho are made possible with grants awarded by the council, a nonprofit, state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The council is now accepting proposals for its fall round of grant awards.

"If you know the history of your town, it lends depth to what you see around you," said Ellen Larsen of the Rathdrum/Westwood Historical Society, one of the local recipients of a humanities council grant last year.

Larsen's comment underscores the Idaho Humanities Council's mission to "deepen understanding of human experience by connecting people with ideas."

The Rathdrum Historical Society will use some of its $1,000 humanities council grant to develop an exhibit about Joe Culp, an early owner and editor of the Rathdrum Tribune.

Larsen said the Culp family bought the newspaper in 1903 and were involved with it until the 1960s. Joe Culp also served on the local school board and was involved in various fraternal organizations.

The Culp display is expected to be completed sometime this fall at the Old Kootenai County Jail and museum on Second Street in Rathdrum.

The humanities council's support is crucial to the historical society, Larsen said, because fundraising efforts often fall flat.

Other local projects funded by Idaho Humanities Council grants include the Human Rights Education Institute's year-long program in Coeur d'Alene featuring American Indian culture and contemporary issues. That project is supported by $5,000 from the council.

Hayden Library was able to present "Western Women: Pioneers and Prostitutes," a one-woman performance tour, last March, thanks to a $3,500 humanities council grant.

The Wallace District Mining Museum received $3,500 to help update a video documentary of the Silver Valley; and the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center in Post Falls received $3,483 to develop exhibits and educational materials about the building's history and that of the city.

Most of the Idaho Humanities Council's funds come from the National Endowment on the Humanities, and they are re-granted to organizations in Idaho. The council also raises funds to support the libraries, museums and nonprofits and kindergarten- to 12th-grade educators teaching the humanities to students.

In addition to museum and library exhibits, grants are available to support a variety of humanities-focused projects and programs. Research fellowships of up to $3,500 are available for scholars, and incentive grants of up to $1,000 are available for K-12 teachers.

The deadline to submit grant proposals is Sept. 15.

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact council staff well in advance of the deadline to discuss their project ideas before beginning a proposal.

Grant guidelines and the online application instructions are available on the IHC website: www.idahohumanities.org.

Info: (208) 345-5346