On February 3, 2026, join Missouri Humanities in the State Capitol for “By the People,” the 2026 Lieutenant Governor’s Humanities Celebration. The event will feature a short film showcasing Missouri Humanities folk art grantees and partners, including musicians, poets, and Native American dancers. Displays around the rotunda will explore Missouri’s cultural and historical impact. We will launch “The Story of US” a digital storytelling campaign celebrating Missouri’s role in the American story.
By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils across the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia in collaboration with local partners. Together, these programs explore 250 years of the nation’s cultural life and imagine its shared future.
The By the People initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage as a complement to the 2026 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
