The Dallas Institute is Accepting Nominations for 2012 Hiett Prize

March 7, 2012 - PRLog -- The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture has announced that nominations are open for the 2012 Hiett Prize in the Humanities. The $50,000 annual award was created by the Dallas Institute in 2004 in collaboration with philanthropist Kim Hiett Jordan to recognize a person who has not yet reached his or her potential, but whose work in the humanities shows extraordinary promise and is already making a difference in the way we think about the world.  

The purpose of the Hiett Prize is to encourage future leaders in the humanities—recognizing their achievement and their promise and assisting their work through a cash award. Overall, it represents the counterpart of lifetime achievement awards by aiming at the discovery of new talent in the humanities on its way toward full maturity.

“There is such an importance in recognizing those who are emerging leaders in the humanities,” said J. Larry Allums Ph.D., executive director of the Dallas Institute. “Those who bring forth innovative ideas challenge and enlighten us in new ways, and we are proud to honor them with this prestigious award every year.”

The Hiett Prize selection process occurs over several months each year. Applications from across the U.S. are evaluated during two elimination rounds before a winner is determined during a final round. Hiett judges are selected from among Fellows of the Dallas Institute, a distinguished group of scholars, teachers, writers, and public intellectuals in the humanities, arts, and sciences in both the U.S. and abroad.
                       
Previous winners of the Hiett Prize in the Humanities include: Brad Gregory, Notre Dame University (2005); Hilaire Kallendorf, Texas A&M University (2006); Tiya Alicia Miles, University of Michigan (2007); David Greenberg, Rutgers University (2008); James E. McWilliams, Texas State University (2009), Mark Oppenheimer, Yale University (2010) and Diana Senechal, Yale University (2011).

Applications are due June 1, 2012. For more information, please contact the Dallas Institute at 214.871.2440 or www.dallasinstitute.org

About the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture
The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational organization with a 20-member Board of Directors comprised of community leaders.  Created in 1980, The Dallas Institute is a center for creative and intellectual exchange, providing enriching programs for the public that are grounded in the wisdom of the humanities, laying the foundation for Dallas to realize its full potential for cultural excellence.   The Dallas Institute is located at 2719 Routh Street, Dallas, Texas 75201.  For information, call (214) 871-2440, or visit www.DallasInstitute.org.