NC Humanities Council Announces New Hires

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - June 19, 2015 - PRLog -- The North Carolina Humanities Council (NCHC), a nonprofit organization that promotes appreciation for the humanities, especially literature, history, art, music and philosophy, has filled key staff positions in its new office in Charlotte.

Banu Valladares serves as the organization’s new Program and Grants Administrator, and Caitlin Patton has been hired as Program Coordinator.

Valladares manages the council’s grants and programs, and oversees partnership opportunities and the development of statewide initiatives in the humanities.  She serves as a liaison for organizations exploring special initiatives to fulfill and advance the council’s mission.

Patton assists in the development of program strategies, budgets, and serves as a liaison for applicants and grantees of council funding to ensure that program initiatives fulfill the mission of NCHC. She will also develop and maintain program records for internal development and to maintain compliance with federal funding sources.

“Both Valladares and Patton bring critical philanthropic experience to NCHC,” said Paula Watkins, the agency’s Executive Director. Valladares is a seasoned educator and arts advocate, most recently serving as Executive Director of SonEdna, a literary arts organization in Charleston, Mississippi. Patton holds a substantial background in grant and proposal writing, previously serving as a Disaster Relief Grant Specialist with the Foundation for the Carolinas.

NCHC moved its administrative offices from Greensboro to Charlotte in January 2015 to take advantage of what its leaders believe are new and exciting opportunities for organizational development and collaborations from the state’s largest city, to further deepen and strengthen NCHC’s long history of statewide humanities programming.

ABOUT NCHC

The North Carolina Humanities Council (NCHC) promotes understanding of and appreciation for the humanities, especially literature, history, art, music and philosophy that can transform how the citizens of North Carolina see themselves, their communities and their state. Through grant making and programs such as Let’s Talk About It and Road Scholars, the Council advocates for lifelong learning and thoughtful dialogue about all facets of human life, and facilitates the exploration and celebration of the many voices and stories comprising North Carolina’s culture and heritage. NCHC is a non-profit agency governed by a diverse, 23-member board of trustees, and the state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional information is available at www.nchumanities.org.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For photos of Valladares and Patton, contact Chris Suggs at csuggs@carolinapr.com or 704.374.9300