GENERAL INFO

What are the humanities?
The humanities are:
the book you're reading and can't put down;
the memorable play you saw at the theater and had to tell a friend about;
the historical documentary you saw last week that made your blood boil;
the family stories you learned as a child, that you now share with your children, or grandchildren.

The humanities are:
History, literature, art, civics, social studies, music, ethics, philosophy, languages

Mission and history
Through its emphasis on the humanities, the Minnesota Humanities Center works to build a thoughtful, literate, and engaged society. A Minnesota-based national center and clearing house for the best in the humanities, the Humanities Center: conducts professional development opportunities; creates and disseminates one-of-a-kind educational resources; partners with other organizations to offer humanities programs statewide; and operates a full-service meeting and event center.

Founded in 1971, the Humanities Center is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historic meeting and event center
The offices and many of the programs of the Humanities Center are housed in a full-service meeting and event center on St. Paul's East Side, near Lake Phalen. The facility is also used by a variety of clientele for meetings, retreats, small conferences, and special events.

Board of Directors
The Humanities Center is governed by a 30-member board of directors. Members serve four-year terms, volunteer their time, and come from all areas of the state, reflecting the state's cultural and geographic diversity. Members are elected by the board of directors at its quarterly meetings.

Financial Support
The Humanities Center receives financial support from individual donors, corporations and foundations, the Minnesota State Legislature, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and income earned through publication sales, program fees, and facility rentals.