We find the

human
connections

in the humanities

We champion the humanities to spark civic engagement, build community, educate, inspire, and make long-lasting change.

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Special Project

Nominate a Window Keeper!

Who will you nominate? The Window Keeper: Civic Honors is a statewide initiative that recognizes Pennsylvanians whose everyday actions help shape strong communities and sustain civic life through the power of the humanities.

PA Cultural Exchange

PaX is a new and innovative program from PA Humanities that convenes humanities, creative and cultural practitioners. Apply now!

Join Our Board

Be part of a committed team illuminating possibilities for Pennsylvanians and elevating our shared humanity to create stronger communities and fulfilling lives.

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Get your own stylish “Let’s Dream Boldly” mug. Every purchase supports our work, with an option to add an additional donation at checkout.

Voices of History Erie

Voices of History Erie is part of PA Humanities’ Voices of History: Stories from Black Pennsylvanians project, a first-of-its-kind statewide effort to collect and celebrate the stories, family histories, struggles, and triumphs of Black Pennsylvanians in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Rain Poetry Toolkit

Bring the magic of Rain Poetry to your community! Our new toolkit provides the information, templates, and inspiration to create your own Rain Poetry project - from planning and outreach to installation and celebration.

Let's Rise: 50th Anniversary Videos

Watch these videos created by Emmy-winning journalist Kelly Dessoye - they are powerful examples of how everyday people across Pennsylvania are using the tools of the humanities to strengthen their lives and communities.

in direct grants since 2020

69

core program sites
in the past 5 years

297

organizations granted funds
in the past 5 years

$2M+

granted in the past 2 years

330

organizations granted funds
in the past two years

73

core program sites
in the past 5 years

the

Featured, News, Special Projects, The Window KEeper

Get to know our Window Keepers: Part 1

As we prepare to announce the next group of Pennsylvanians recognized through PA Humanities’ The Window Keeper: Civic Honors initiative, we’re taking a look at the first 25 Window Keepers who helped launch this special project. Who will you nominate from your community?

Education, Featured, News, Youth-Led Humanities

Education, Featured, Grantmaking, News, Rain Poetry

PaX, Press Release

Education, Featured, News

Research

We contribute our learnings to the larger conversation about the role of the humanities in creating lasting change through major projects, including PA CultureCheck, PA Humanities Discovery Project, and more. 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.

Support Our Work

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.

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Jul 9

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Get to know: PA Humanities Window Keeper Jessica Kiefer, Head Children’s Librarian, @Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, Greensburg

As head of Children’s Services at the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, Jessica fosters a love of reading and creativity in young people. For the past five years, she has led Teen Reading Lounge off-site through a partnership she developed with Centerville Clinics’ Partial Hospitalization program for young adults experiencing mental health challenges. Recognizing an opportunity during the pandemic, Jessica integrated humanities-based activities and discussions into the program, helping participants build social-emotional skills and take greater ownership of their learning.

Who`s a Window Keeper in your community? How do you nominate them to become a Window Keeper? What the heck is a Window Keeper?

Find answers to all these questions, as well as inspiration from other Window Keepers who show what`s possible in our communities, at: https://pahumanities.org/thewindowkeeper/ ...

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Jul 8

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Get to know: PA Humanities Window Keeper Herman Beavers, Professor in the Department of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania

Professor Beavers brings the humanities to life for community members of all backgrounds, from students to veterans, helping them engage thoughtfully with challenging histories. Through the PennVUB program, in partnership with PA Humanities, he guided local veterans in exploring Black history and the works of August Wilson, fostering meaningful dialogue, personal reflection, and a deeper connection to the stories that shape our communities.

Who do you know who`s a Window Keeper in your community? How do you nominate them to become a Window Keeper? What the heck is a Window Keeper? Find answers to all these questions, as well as inspiration from other Window Keepers, at:

https://pahumanities.org/thewindowkeeper/ ...

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Jul 6

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UPDATE!!!! DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JULY 14!!!!

Big news for Pennsylvania’s humanities, arts, culture, and community-based practitioners: PA Humanities has launched the new PA Cultural Exchange Fellowship (PaX).

This statewide fellowship will bring together practitioners from across Pennsylvania for immersive learning exchanges, peer connection, leadership development, and community-based project support. Selected fellows will receive a $10,000 fellowship award and participate in cultural exchange weekends in Pittsburgh, the PA Wilds, and York.

Applications are NOW DUE JULY 14, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.

The PA Cultural Exchange is made possible through the generous support of Spring Point Partners and The Heinz Endowments, with additional support from Pennsylvania state legislators, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

#PaX ...

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Jun 25

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“Poetry serves as a way for me to express my thoughts and feelings about myself, the world around me, friendships, community, just about anything.” -Allison Walters, 14

Teen voices are showing up on the streets of Kane! 🌧️

Through our Rain Poetry project, young people at Friends Memorial Library created haiku inspired by the “Colors of Kane.” Their poems are now installed on sidewalks around town using a special invisible spray that appears only when wet. The project is engaging teens and the broader community through the humanities.

Kane is the first town in Pennsylvania to implement Rain Poetry independently using PA Humanities’ new toolkit.

🔗 Read the whole story at PAHumanities.org 🔗

Rain Poetry is part of PA Humanities` ongoing work to spark creativity, strengthen communities, and connect people through the power of the humanities. Its expansion has been made possible with the support of Pennsylvania’s state legislators. Funding has been provided by @williampennfoundation, @theheinzendowments, @mellonfoundation, @nehgov, Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance, Richard King Mellon Foundation, The Grable Foundation, The Wyomissing Foundation, with support from @padeptofed, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, administered by @pennsylvaniagov, the Commonwealth Financing Authority, and the Department of Community and Economic Development Community and Economic Assistance Program. ...

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