What are the Humanities?
The humanities are the evolving ideas and the accumulated knowledge about human history and culture that help us make sense of our lives and encourage us to think imaginatively and critically about the world. Through engagement with the humanities, we develop skills of inquiry, observation, analysis, reflection, and communication. The humanities inspire curiosity and vision, and offer the means by which to consider how and why humans think and act as we do.
The humanities encompass branches of knowledge concerned with human thought and culture—language, history, literature, civics, philosophy, ethics, jurisprudence, religion, anthropology, archaeology. Often referred to as liberal arts, these branches combine to form a foundation for human interaction and connection.
What is the Missouri Humanities Council?
The Missouri Humanities Council is a unique statewide, non-profit organization devoted to building a thoughtful, literate, and engaged society through programs associated with family reading, museum and library enrichment, humanities education, and story and conversation. Each year, we recognize and celebrate the efforts of great humanities contributors in Missouri.
Since 1971, we have introduced programs, funded activities, and supported initiatives that make for better:
- Early childhood learning opportunities
- Teaching in the humanities
- Public outreach by museums and libraries
- Understanding through shared reading and dialogue
In turn, we help people experience the connection between ideas, character, and active participation, opening the door of knowledge to our culture as well as the world beyond our boundaries.
mail@mohumanities.org