In today’s tumultuous world, humanities organizations are stepping up and doing more to lead community conversations and foster connections that are instrumental to healing and conceiving a more just world.

Established during the politically charged days of 1965, the National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent federal agency dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities.

In the early 1970s, In an effort to build stronger connections and support for local communities across the U.S, the NEH developed a network of state councils. Since 1972, the Alaska Humanities Forum has represented and served Alaska as the official humanities state council supported by the NEH and as a member of the Federation of State councils.

We know that stewarding community-based humanities organizations helps our state to ask big questions; decentralize knowledge and authority, and activate a shared vision for a more equitable world.

As the Forum moves into its 50th year of service, we are proud to launch our inaugural statewide humanities organizational directory. This initiative represents our deep commitment to understanding, supporting, and spotlighting Alaska’s cultural, social, and civic landscape. We hope its development leads to increased collaboration, connection, and the strengthening of our community-based humanities organizations.