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Get to know our vision for the public humanities in Illinois and meet Our Team.
Attend a free public event hosted by Illinois Humanities and our partners.
The latest stories about the humanities, education, and culture in Illinois.
Bring educational and cultural events to your community for free.
Pictured: A neighborhood dialogue in Humboldt Park, Chicago.
Presenting our latest public event series: A People’s Salon. Over four evening programs, A People’s Salon will center pressing and timely themes and issues accompanied by a unique lineup of performances and a chef-driven dinner.
July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The humanities have a special role to play.
Part of Art Design Chicago, Chicago Style used the power of design to unite South Side home movies, fashion archives, personal narratives, and community legacies to stitch the past with our present, culminating in a fashion show and film debut.
The Country and The City brings rural and urban Illinoisans together to exchange ideas and foster mutual understanding. Through the arts and humanities, we discover new connections and bridge differences.
Examine and reimagine the criminal legal system through the arts and humanities. Together we foster conversation and empower diverse perspectives to gain statewide momentum toward ending mass incarceration.
The Foreground Rural Initiative amplifies the voices of rural communities and small towns. Together with local partners, we offer grants and capacity-building, and co-create public programs and events.
Celebrate the legacy of Gwendolyn Brooks and the creativity of K-12 writers in Illinois. These annual awards are a platform for the next generation of poets to share their voices and develop their craft.
We partner with the Smithsonian Institution and local cultural organizations to bring traveling exhibitions to small towns in Illinois. These world-class exhibitions help to bolster local cultural organizations and their communities.
When we read together, we broaden our imaginations and understanding of our world, our neighbors, and ourselves. Join a book group and read alongside other NEA Big Read groups across Illinois and the nation.
The Odyssey Project believes that education is liberatory and should be accessible to all. This free college program empowers adult learners to jump-start their education in a supportive community of students and educators.
Road Scholars Speakers travel across Illinois to bring art, culture, history, and contemporary social issues to life. Invite a speaker to your community to share their passion and expertise about literature, philosophy, theater, local history, film, music, politics, and more – at no cost to you!