"The healthiest communities are those that are built around active libraries, museums, and other cultural centers, that have a strong sense of their own history and identity, that have good quality schools, along with mechanisms for involving their residents in the process of solving problems and planning for the future. Supporting these kinds of communities is what the state humanities councils are all about." - Esther Mackintosh, FSHC President, at a White House briefing
Search our filterable database to view council programs by audience, state, subject, format, and initiative.
The 2021 National Humanities Conference
Taking place in Detroit, MI, the 2021 National Humanities Conference will be held November 11-14, 2021. Have a great idea for a session? The 2021 Call for Session Proposals is now open! Proposals will be accepted until April 19, 2021. Registration opens summer 2021.
The Schwartz Prize
Annual award for outstanding humanities programs conducted or supported by councils. The awards presentation will be held in conjunction with the 2021 National Humanities Conference in Detroit, MI. The call for nominations will be released Spring 2021!
Humanities on the Hill
Thank you to the 200+ advocates who joined us earlier this year at Humanities on the Hill 2021. More information regarding next year’s events will be distributed via the Federation’s Advocacy Listserv and Monthly Update. Subscribe to stay informed of the latest updates and information.
The winter board meeting will take place virtually in 2021.
The board reviews the annual plan and budget, prepares for Humanities on the Hill, and welcomes new board members, who participate in an orientation session before the board meeting begins.
This meeting occurs in mid-July in a centrally-located city voted on in November. In 2021, due to COVID-19, the meeting will be held virtually. The agenda typically includes advocacy, the upcoming conference, governance/ membership issues of concern, and approval of the implementation plan for the coming year.
Typically held in conjunction with the National Humanities Conference. The fall board meeting focuses focuses on a review of the annual Federation evaluation survey results and preparation for the annual business meeting.
New board members are voted in during the November Annual Business Meeting and start that next January. This year we welcomed five board members: Terri Jett (IN), Stuart Rockoff (MS), John Phillip Santos (TX), and Sherry Paula Watkins (NC).
The Federation conference committee includes members from the Federation board, NHA, the conference host council, and other councils. The committee is responsible for developing and issuing a call for session proposals, selecting speakers, and planning special events.
With a membership drawn from council staff and board members, this committee identifies Federation board needs, solicits nominations from the membership, and presents a slate of candidates to the members for approval at the Annual Business Meeting.
Chaired by a Federation board member, the Data & Evaluation Committee aims to improve council data collection and evaluation practices, thereby enabling councils to strengthen their programming and better highlight the value of their work to the general public, elected officials, donors, and grantmakers. The committee will work with councils to develop and promote best practices and collaborate with NEH and other organizations on projects of mutual benefit.
Chaired by a Federation board member, this committee works closely with the Federation legislative counsel to determine the Federation advocacy position and inform the membership of important legislative activities, calls to action, and updates.
Chaired by a Federation board member, this committee is responsible for seeking underwriting for conference events and national partnership opportunities that would offer funding for the councils. In 2015, the committee added a charge to explore diversifying funding for the Federation.
Comprised of individuals with financial expertise, including the Federation Treasurer, the Audit Committee works closely with the Federation’s auditors, reviews the final audit, and gives a report at the July board meeting.
This committee is made up entirely of Federation board members and is responsible for the governance of the Federation Board.
Created by the Federation board in 2014, this committee is responsible for maintaining and growing our partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
Chaired by the Federation Treasurer, this committee oversees the Federation budget, future projections, and membership dues.
All committee members are required to attend the Annual Business Meeting, which takes place in conjunction with the National Humanities Conference.
Teller Committee: The election of board members and the chair is by acclamation, but if any other vote needs to be taken at the meeting, the committee is responsible for tallying votes.
Minutes Committee: The Federation records the meeting and transcribes the minutes. They are then sent to the committee to review, edit, and approve.
Resolutions Committee: They review any resolutions submitted by members and determine if they are of sufficient relevance and are in the appropriate form to be brought to the floor.