Who We Are

What makes community life worthwhile? Is it the relationships you build over time with family, friends and co-workers? What about the good times and memories from attending annual festivals and events? Or is it the experience of working through difficult times that bonds us together?  Maybe it’s the familiarity of people and places…all part of the human experience.

The study of the humanities offers a deeper understanding of ourselves and others by confronting us with the questions, values, and meanings of the human experience. From an academic perspective, that includes the study of ethics, history, literature, philosophy, art history and criticism, film studies, linguistics, jurisprudence, languages, comparative religion, and the history of science.

As one of 56 state (and territories) humanities councils in the country, Michigan Humanities was founded in 1974 as a result of federal legislation. Funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities,  Michigan Humanities also actively seeks grants, sponsorships and individual donations to further support cultural programming for Michigan communities.

Mission

Bringing people together through stories, histories, cultures, and conversations.

Vision

A more thoughtful, connected, engaged, and informed Michigan.

Values

• Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity
• Discovery and Understanding
• Authentic Conversation
• Respectful Collaboration
• Meaningful Experiences

Pillars

• Build awareness and excitement for humanities in everyday life
• Achieve best practices and sustainability for all humanities programs and services in Michigan