Connecting stories: texas in 1776 [as the 250TH anniversary of the signing of declaration of independence approaches, questions arise in our communities

The National Endowment for the Humanities awarded Mexic-Arte Museum $100,000 on April 1, 2026, under the Promotion of the Humanities Public Programs (CFDA 45.164) to develop and present "Connecting Stories: Texas in 1776," a public-facing exhibition and educational initiative exploring Texas history during the American Revolutionary era.

The project delivers an in-person and virtual exhibition accompanied by public lectures and educational programming that offer scholarly interpretation of artworks, artifacts, and primary sources from before, during, and after the Revolutionary period in Texas. The initiative addresses how Texas was shaped by and responded to the American Revolution, connecting regional history to broader United States historical development.

Mexic-Arte Museum, a nonprofit cultural institution in Austin, Texas, serves as the recipient. The award period runs from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, with performance in Texas. The Promotion of the Humanities Public Programs supports projects that engage general audiences with humanities scholarship through exhibitions and historic site interpretations, typically requiring projects to remain on view for a minimum of two months (temporary exhibitions) or three years (permanent or long-term interpretive programs).

What was happening at this time in the area where we live today known as texas? How did this revolutionary period shape the locality before IT was a part of the united states? IT is important for the public to probe these questions to connect, identify, and understand this part of united states history that has profoundly impacted our lives today. To bridge this historical understanding, mexic-arte museum's connecting stories: texas in 1776 will present a public-facing humanities in-person and virtual exhibition accompanied by a series of public lectures, and educational programming which offers scholarly interpretation of artworks, artifacts, and primary sources from before, during, and after the revolutionary ERA in texas. The initiative informs the public how texas was shaped by and responded to the transformative ERA of the american revolution.]