Partner Spotlight: Humanities Washington
February 28, 2024
SAL was thrilled to partner with Humanities Washington on our Literary Arts Series event with Joy Harjo on February 27th. Their support, through funding provided by Humanities Washington and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the United We Stand Initiative, made the evening possible.
Learn more about their programs and events below!
What could Washington be like if we listened to one another?
Our society is increasingly divided, detached, and distracted. We are deeply polarized, less engaged in civic life, and less willing to listen to others’ opinions without becoming at best dismissive and at worst angry and offended. At the same time, we reach for our digital devices during even a few seconds of inactivity, eliminating time for reflection and engagement with ourselves, each other, and the world around us.
Humanities Washington creates spaces for people to come together to explore and consider what it means to be human, and to reflect on our shared past, present, and future. Our mission is to opens minds and bridges divides by creating spaces to explore different perspectives.
As a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, we hold events and programs led by cultural experts, scholars, and storytellers, who discuss everything from Washington State history to philosophy to current social issues. We also support and partner with a wide network of communities, organizations, and individuals across the state. Our work is particularly important in rural areas, where people may not have access to cultural and academic institutions. One participant described our programs as “a lifeline to ideas.”
In libraries, community halls, retirement homes, and cultural centers in every corner of Washington State, our programs and events challenge assumptions and spark insights. Our Speakers Bureau program holds hundreds of free events around the state each year, with talks on a variety of subjects including, “What Is a Chief? How Native Values Can Teach Resilience,” “UFO Northwest: How Washington State Spawned the Men in Black,” “When Your Grandfather is a Bot: A.I., Death, and Digital Doppelgangers,” and “They Want Our Rhythm but Not Our Blues: African American Innovation through Pop Culture.” The Prime Time Family Reading program goes beyond a typical library story time to dig into the deeper themes of children’s literature, turning children who are struggling with reading into lifelong book lovers. We also present the Washington State Poet Laureate program in partnership with ArtsWA. The current Poet Laureate, Arianne True, travels to every corner of the state giving readings and workshops that inspire a love of poetry. Also with ArtsWA we present the Center for Washington Cultural Traditions, an arts and heritage program that researches and supports cultural traditions, tradition bearers, and artistic communities throughout Washington State.
Humanities Washington also presents a variety of other programs—to learn more, visit our programs page. To find an event, check out our calendar. All Humanities Washington programs are open to the public, and nearly all are free of charge.