MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — California Humanities recently announced the June 2024 Humanities For All Project Grant awards.

The Middletown Art Center was awarded $25,000 for the “Harlem Voices” project, in partnership with distinguished cellist, composer, conductor and Unitarian Universalist minister Clovice Lewis.

Humanities For All Project Grant is a competitive grant program of California Humanities which supports locally-developed projects that respond to the needs, interests and concerns of Californians, provides accessible learning experiences for the public, and promotes understanding among our state’s diverse population.

“This was an extremely competitive round, with our seven new Project Grant recipients representing only 6% of the applications we received,” said California Humanities’ President and CEO Rick Noguchi. “These projects rose to the top, and collectively represent what the humanities are about in California: providing creative ways to tell stories that haven't been told, contributing to the mosaic that is California’s identity.”

The Harlem Voices project is an innovative initiative that blends musical performance and historical dialogue to address persistent racial justice issues in America.

Lewis' work is deeply influenced by his commitment to social justice, racial equality, and inclusive spirituality and informed by his rich background in music and activism.

The project will feature a series of five staged concert performances, derived from his musicals “Harlem Voices” and “Harlem Voices: Revisited,” focusing on selected characters' stories.

Lewis, portraying Maurice, the musical director of the segregated Black Jay Club speakeasy, will provide historical context throughout the performances.

At the conclusion of each show, he will engage the audience in discussions about the historical events highlighted in the musical and their relevance to ongoing racial justice challenges today.

Harlem Voices aims to spotlight Lake County's often overlooked African American community by showcasing local and regional black vocalists and musicians.

The project also invites high school and community college students to participate as chorus members, providing them with a unique and rare professional opportunity locally.

To increase access across Lake County, performances will be held at the Tallman Hotel, at Middletown Art Center and at Lake County Arts Council's Soper-Reese Theatre. Performances are scheduled for late winter and spring of 2025.

“Much of what I do is created in a kind of vacuum,” said Lewis about his life’s work. “As a 'classical' composer, I mainly compose for symphony orchestras. In the case of these two musicals, I wrote the plays, lyrics, and composed and orchestrated the music, then published them as books, knowing that they might never be performed. I even used AI to try to bring them to life! So I am shocked, delighted and truly honored that California Humanities saw the imperative for people to experience these works. I will not squander this rare opportunity in my life as an artist!"

Lewis's activism, along with the efforts of the Community Call to Action — a grassroots movement in Lake County formed in response to the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor — led to the passing of a county proclamation and the establishment of the Lake County Community Visioning Forum Planning Committee.

This committee was tasked with assessing the landscape of diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, in Lake County and providing recommendations to the county and its cities.

California Humanities promotes the humanities — focused on ideas, conversation and learning — as relevant, meaningful ways to understand the human condition and connect us to each other in order to help strengthen California. California Humanities has provided grants and programs across the state since 1975. To learn more, visit calhum.org, or like and follow on  Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Middletown Art Center is a nonprofit dedicated to engaging the public in art making, art education, and art appreciation and providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives, working to create an inclusive and accessible space for all.

Learn more about the MAC, follow this project's development, and find out more about ways to support their vital work at www.middletownartcenter.org or on Facebook/Instagram @mtownartcenter.

The MAC is located at 21456 State Highway 175 at the junction of Highway 29 in Middletown. Call 707-809-8118 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or accessibility assistance.