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.

Special Project

Nominate a Window Keeper!

Deadline extended to 8/16! 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.

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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.

Special Project

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.

Special Project

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.

Special Project

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.

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$5.3m

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

Event, Featured, News, Storytelling

Erica Dunbar shares how the stories we find can change the stories we know

PA Humanities had the honor of hosting Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar at a special event at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia on Aug. 12 in partnership with America250PA. Dunbar was the keynote speaker for “Everybody Has a Story: A Conversation with Erica Armstrong Dunbar,” and for 90 minutes she shared stories of her work and her life, including how she came to write the 2017 National Book Award finalist, “Never Caught: The Washingtons’ Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge.”

Guest Story, News

250, Community Building, Featured, News, Storytelling, The Window KEeper

News, Storytelling, Voices of History

250, Community Building, Featured, News, The Window KEeper

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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Aug 31

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Congratulations to @confluencecreativeartscenter on such a wonderful Rain Poetry celebration on Saturday! It was a beautiful day filled with creativity, expression, joy, poetry, community and fun and we were thrilled to be a part of it!

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Aug 14

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Who's your community's #WindowKeeper? SUNDAY is the LAST DAY to submit your nominations!!!

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Aug 14

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The final weekend to nominate a Window Keeper is here!

Who is a courageous person in your community who brings people together, keeps local stories and traditions alive, creates opportunities to learn and share, or helps others feel welcome and involved?

They could be a neighbor, volunteer, educator, organizer, librarian, faith leader, local historian or community member whose everyday actions make a lasting difference. We're especially looking for nominations from rural counties!

Everyone knows someone. Help us recognize the Pennsylvanians who strengthen our communities and sustain civic life.

Nominations close Sunday, August 16: pahumanities.org/thewindowkeeper

The Window Keeper: Civic Honors initiative is supported in part by Pennsylvania state legislators, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the National Endowment for the Arts, and individual donor Randall Miller. “The Window Keeper” by Yolanda Wisher was commissioned by PA Humanities and ArtPhilly for America250PA’s National Convening of State Partners Closing Dinner on September 21, 2024.

The final weekend to nominate a Window Keeper is here!

Who is a courageous person in your community who brings people together, keeps local stories and traditions alive, creates opportunities to learn and share, or helps others feel welcome and involved?

They could be a neighbor, volunteer, educator, organizer, librarian, faith leader, local historian or community member whose everyday actions make a lasting difference. We`re especially looking for nominations from rural counties!

Everyone knows someone. Help us recognize the Pennsylvanians who strengthen our communities and sustain civic life.

Nominations close Sunday, August 16: pahumanities.org/thewindowkeeper

The Window Keeper: Civic Honors initiative is supported in part by Pennsylvania state legislators, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the National Endowment for the Arts, and individual donor Randall Miller. “The Window Keeper” by Yolanda Wisher was commissioned by PA Humanities and ArtPhilly for America250PA’s National Convening of State Partners Closing Dinner on September 21, 2024. ...

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Aug 13

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What a special evening in Philadelphia. ❤️

Thank you to everyone who joined us at @motherbethel for Everybody Has a Story: A Conversation with @ericaarmstrongdunbar.

We’re grateful to Dr. Dunbar for sharing her scholarship and stories, to @itsmetheyfollow of @harrietts_bookshop for a thoughtful and engaging conversation, and to Rev. Carolyn C. Cavaness, the Mother Bethel community and volunteers, our partners, supporters, and PA Humanities staff for making the evening possible.

This was only the beginning for Voices of History Philadelphia. We're excited to share more as the project develops - stay tuned!

Presented by PA Humanities in partnership with @america250_pa, Everybody Has a Story: A Conversation with Erica Armstrong Dunbar was made possible by the generous support of many individuals, along with funding from the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the @mellonfoundation; the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development; and Randall M. Miller; with special thanks to Pennsylvania State Senators and additional marketing support from the Ona Judge Coalition.

What a special evening in Philadelphia. ❤️

Thank you to everyone who joined us at @motherbethel for Everybody Has a Story: A Conversation with @ericaarmstrongdunbar.

We’re grateful to Dr. Dunbar for sharing her scholarship and stories, to @itsmetheyfollow of @harrietts_bookshop for a thoughtful and engaging conversation, and to Rev. Carolyn C. Cavaness, the Mother Bethel community and volunteers, our partners, supporters, and PA Humanities staff for making the evening possible.

This was only the beginning for Voices of History Philadelphia. We`re excited to share more as the project develops - stay tuned!

Presented by PA Humanities in partnership with @america250_pa, Everybody Has a Story: A Conversation with Erica Armstrong Dunbar was made possible by the generous support of many individuals, along with funding from the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the @mellonfoundation; the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development; and Randall M. Miller; with special thanks to Pennsylvania State Senators and additional marketing support from the Ona Judge Coalition. ...

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