Learn about the NHC 2019 host region: Oceania! With an ancient history of sophisticated networks of travel and exchange, the expanse called Oceania links tens of thousands of islands and atolls in what Tongan poet and scholar Epeli Hau’ofa has called the “blue continent.”

Learn about our NHC 19 co-host: Guam! Guam is one of the earliest settlements and colonies in the world with archaeological findings dating back 3,000-4,000 years ago! Learn more in this recent update.

Request for Proposals released for round two of the Mellon-funded, “Democracy and the Informed Citizen” initiative. Letters of Intent are due August 23, 2019.

Experience Sunday at NHC with these incredible offerings: learn maritime skills and sail a traditional Kanehunamoku canoe; take a living history tour through the pivotal four days and through the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy on the ‘Iolani Palace grounds; take a literary hike through Hawaiian landscape and reflect on identity and place; or attend an evening concert!

Learn more about our NHC 19 co-host: The Northern Mariana Islands! Learn a bit about the geography, history and culture in this most recent update.

Learn about one of our 2019 NHC host councils: Amerika Samoa! What’s in a name? Learn about the many nicknames of American Samoa in this most recent update.

Learn about one of our NHC 19 host councils: Hawai’i! Learn about the ‘okina and macron or kahakō in this most recent update.

The Federation of State Humanities Councils is now accepting nominations for the 37th annual Helen and Martin Schwartz Prize, made possible through an endowment established by former Federation board member Martin Schwartz and his wife Helen to recognize outstanding work in the public humanities.

“The councils are uniquely equipped to bring journalists into meaningful conversation with the communities they serve, to help citizens distinguish trustworthy from unreliable news, and to explore the historic role that journalism and the humanities have played in informing Americans,”

The 2019 National Humanities Conference banner is comprised of several images that explore the conference theme, “Roots and Routes: Navigation, Migration, and Exchange in the 21st Century.” The images were selected to represent the unique histories and cultures of each island by the co-hosts of this year’s conference

“For the first time in our organizational history, the National Humanities Conference will be held outside the continental US, in the powerful realm of Oceania.” Be the first to view the conference line-up! Here’s your first look at the 2019 NHC schedule. Email events@statehumanities.org with any questions.

Join us in welcoming new Minnesota Humanities Center CEO Kevin Lindsey to the state humanities council community!

A warm welcome and congratulations to Lonnie G. Bunch III, the Smithsonian Institution’s new director! Mr. Bunch is the first historian appointed to this position and marks a “significant tilt toward the humanities for the nearly 175-year-old Smithsonian.”

The House Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2020 Interior Appropriations bill in a party-line vote of 30-21.  The bill includes $167.5 million for the NEH and $51 million for the Federal/State Partnership, representing an increase of $12.5 million for the agency and $3 million for the councils, along with $6 million “to advance cross-cutting NEH initiatives.

Are we more divided than ever? Well no, argued BackStory’s Ed Ayers, Brian Balogh, and Joanne Freeman on May 21 in a special live event, “Divided States of America,” at the U.S. Senate Russell Building.