Flagler County, Florida — Florida Humanities, in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution’s Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), launched a new exhibition partnership program, “Exhibition Starter Kit: FOOD” and selected the African American Cultural Society Inc. as an inaugural recipient along with eight other nonprofit organizations. The funding they received from Florida Humanities will partially support the creation of exhibitions that capture and share local narratives on food, utilizing templated resources as well as virtual and in-person support from the Smithsonian Institution.

Exhibition Starter Kits provide a Smithsonian-developed framework to guide selected venues through the development of local humanities-based exhibitions using their own collections and cultural content. While working on their exhibition project, funded venues will receive guidance from the Smithsonian on how to design and develop compelling exhibitions that highlight their local history and culture through the lens of food. By incorporating local elements directly into the exhibition, each installation will be unique while broadly addressing the same national themes curated by the Smithsonian.

“AACS intends to develop a humanities-based exhibition utilizing research, collections, multimedia and developed content from our local community with a particular emphasis on diversity. We will emphasize the local history of our county as well as the culture of food and farming that has evolved over time; with a particular emphasis on the impact of Black culture, its traditions and farming”, says curator and grant administrator, Meshella E. Woods.  She is the Project’s director.  AACS President Joseph T. Jones states, “The Black farmer, land and the challenges surrounding them are issues of which I am all too familiar as I am descendent from that culture. I fully support an exhibit which highlights those issues.”  AACS hopes to bring the community together around FOOD, a topic that resonates with everyone.  In addition, this opportunity will serve as a hands on educational tool for our local students from elementary school through college level.  Young adult interns have been recruited as: Lead Intern. Project and Marketing/Outreach Manager, Oslyn Bryant; Curatorial Interns, Savannah Ryan and Tré Kingston.  They will work closely with Ms. Woods and the AACS project team.

All sites awarded this opportunity have been received initial funding of $5,000 from Florida Humanities for FY-2025.  They have been working with the Smithsonian since July 2024.  Over the next fiscal year they will create an exhibition script, collect physical objects such as artifacts and images to accompany their exhibition, and design an exhibition floor plan. with With additional support provided by Florida Humanities, exhibitions will be fabricated in 2025/2026 and installed/displayed at each venue 2026-2029.

The selected sites include:

  • African American Cultural Society Inc. (Palm Coast/Bunnell, Flagler County)

  • Citrus County Historical Society (Inverness, Citrus County)

  • Florida Remembered Society (Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County)

  • Hastings Main Street (Hastings, St. Johns County)

  • Historical Society of Bay County (Panama City, Bay County)

  • Key West Art & Historical Society (Key West, Monroe County)

  • Main Street Apopka (Apopka, Orange County)

  • West Nassau Historical Society (Callahan, Nassau County)

This Exhibition Starter Kit provides AACS with a great opportunity to use a Smithsonian framework that gives national context to their local exhibitions. “Florida Humanities contributes state-specific resources and scholarship, which adds an even richer training opportunity for host organizations to bring out the unique local flavors of each community.”  AACS is seeking corporate and government sponsorships/grants for FY-2025 to ensure the success of this local  five-year Smithsonian exhibition project.

“Exhibition Starter Kit: FOOD” is a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution’s Traveling Exhibition Service and State Humanities Councils nationwide. It is based on an exhibition by the National Museum of American History called “Key Ingredients: America by Food”. Support for the Smithsonian Institution has been provided by the United States Congress. Funding for this project in Florida has been provided by Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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About African American Cultural Society Inc. (AACS)

The AACS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization.  Founded in 1991, its mission is to preserve and perpetuate the cultural heritage of people of African descent through educational, artistic, intellectual and social activities and services deemed to be in the best interests of the entire community.  AACS owns and operates the African American Cultural Center and Museum of Florida and is a member of the African American Civil Rights Network, American Alliance of Museums, African American Association of Museums, the Florida African American Heritage Network and the National Association for interpretation.  AACS is proud to be a Smithsonian Host Site since 2022.  The Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition, “TAINO VIVE! Caribbean Indigenous Resistance”, was on display July 6 – September 29, 2024.  Watch for: City of Hope: Resurrection City and the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign poster exhibit and Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight “build it yourself” exhibit.

About Florida Humanities

Florida Humani6es, the statewide, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing the history, literature, cultures, and personal stories that offer Floridians a better understanding of themselves, their communities, and their state. Since 1973, Florida Humanities has awarded more than $20 million in support of statewide cultural resources and public programs strongly rooted in the humanities. These programs preserve Florida’s diverse history and heritage, promote civic engagement and community dialogue, and provide opportunities to reflect on the future of Florida.

About Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES)

SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for more than 65 years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science and history, which are shown wherever people live, work and play.

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