A Fresh Look at 50: Illinois at the Center

As soon as our strategic plan was finished our team at Illinois Humanities turned to redesigning our logo. We wanted a “look” that better conveyed our vision and values: warm, welcoming, and proudly statewide. We wanted a logo that not only shows who we are and what we do but also demonstrates the role public humanities play in helping Illinoisians thrive. Today, I am delighted to unveil our new logo—a symbol that places you, our vibrant community, at its center.

This is a pivotal moment for Illinois Humanities and our state. As we prepare to commemorate our 50th anniversary, we have launched a beautiful new website, mapped out our strategic priorities, and, with this rebranding effort, aligned our visual identity with our vision of an Illinois where the public humanities are central to a more just, creative, and connected state.

The launch of this new logo marks the launch of our public celebration of 50 years of Illinois Humanities—a half-century of building understanding and strengthening our connections with one another.

Please save the evening of September 19, 2025, to be with us to celebrate our 50th anniversary at Morgan Manufacturing in Chicago. More than a celebratory and inspiring evening—which we know it will be——this milestone is an opportunity to honor you, the partners, organizations, donors, and humanists at the heart of our statewide community!

In the coming weeks and months, look out for more news about how we will be commemorating our 50th—with invitations to share stories, new grants, expanded programs, and an ambitious plan for the next 50 years.

The founding vision of Illinois Humanities is “Democracy demands wisdom.” We are approaching our anniversary more committed than ever to ensuring the humanities in Illinois are strong and available to everyone. I look forward to staying in touch and to hearing your ideas—and we won’t be able to commemorate it without you. 

Warmly,

Gabrielle H. Lyon