We put people first.
Our work champions the humanities — centering growth, equity, and community as a pathway to positive, lasting change.
We believe in contributing our learnings to the larger conversation about the role of the humanities in creating lasting change. We put participatory research at the forefront of all our work and partner with scholars, consultants, and a cross-sector of leaders including Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania’s PennPraxis, Elizabeth Myrick + Associates, and Allegheny Intermediate Unit.
An independent nonprofit that puts people first, PA Humanities relies on financial support from people like you. As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary, your support will help more Pennsylvanians experience the humanities and put them in action through civic engagement, education, building community, and however they are inspired to make change.
“Stories are such a part of what I do, stories are such a part of who we are, stories are history. Stories are memories. Stories are legacy.”
Voices of History is a statewide effort to collect and celebrate the stories, family histories, struggles and triumphs of Black Pennsylvanians in the 20th and 21st centuries. Recently Pittsburgh storytellers, who will be featured in videos as part of the project, gathered at @augustwilsonculturalcenter to share their stories with the public.
They included Elayne Arrington, a resident of the Homestead neighborhood, who shared her story of how in the 1950s, despite being first in her high school class, she was not allowed to give the valedictory speech— an opportunity that was instead given to a white man. Reggie Howze spoke about the nightlife in the Hill district he witnessed as a boy, and others shared memories of family.
Voices of History will head to Scranton next in February.
🎉 @nehgov has announced $22.6 million in grants for humanities projects across the country, including $430,000 for 9 grantees here in Pennsylvania.
“This funding will strengthen our ability to preserve and share important stories from the past with future generations, and expand opportunities in communities, classrooms, and institutions to engage with the history, ideas, languages, and cultures that shape our world.” -NEH Chair @sc_lowe (Navajo)
BIG congratulations to all the PA recipients:
@lehighu
@dickinsoncollege
@setonhilluniversity
Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation
@historicasmh
@girardcollege
@uofpenn
@saadaorg
@swarthmorecollege
Learn more at NEH.gov
🎉 Congratulations to our executive director Laurie Zierer, who was recently named to @cityandstatepa’s 2024 Power of Diversity: Women 100! This list spotlights the “excellence demonstrated by Pennsylvania women” who “make their mark in the commonwealth.” Laurie was selected for this honor for being “a vocal advocate for the cultural sector at the city, state, and national levels and a champion of humanities in education and philanthropy.”
From all of us at PA Humanities: Happy New Year, Pennsylvania! 🎊
Shout out to the talented Russ Hickman (RussHickman.com) for this photo!
