Monte Bona
- Title
- Monte Bona
- Quote
- "I think an understanding of who we are and where we came from, and who we are as people, as human beings is extremely important."
- Story
-
I am very interested in the humanities and have been for a long time; both from an academic perspective and because I think an understanding of who we are and where we came from, and who we are as people, as human beings is extremely important. I have a commitment to the humanities, and I’ve been involved in humanities projects, starting back in 1975.
In terms of acquainting people in rural Utah, for example, with the importance of humanities, often times, people in rural America, and including Utah, have not always had a connection with the humanities. They’ve had a connection, even though they couldn’t articulate it, in many cases.
They don’t really understand the connection until there’s an outreach program, such as through Utah Humanities to bring them together. And then they begin to connect the dots, and they begin to understand.
The same thing applies for the arts. You have to bring them aboard. And especially with the families who are farmers or are working at the turkey plants. Their kids sometimes have been able to do this through the stuff you’ve done with the book programs. You’ve been able to show them, “Hey, this is important. The humanities really are the most important.”
In many ways, the humanities define who we are as a people. What we do for a living is obviously very important; but why do we do it?
And ”why we do it” leads back to the humanities.
- Date
- October 26, 2024
- Profession
- Director
- From
- Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area