The Missouri Humanities Council enables families and communities to broaden their appreciation of history, literature, and the ideas that shape our democracy.
Our programs bring the benefits of the Humanities to the general public. We achieve focus by concentrating on improving teaching and learning in key social institutions like the family, school, library, and museum.
Since so much personal development is rooted in very early childhood experiences, the heart of our work is the training of parents, relatives, and caregivers. We center the training on books, but the core of the program is how we develop interest in the story through conversation and play. That habit of “extending the story” beyond story hour and beyond the act of reading is the thing that develops brain power. Even more important, the relationship that develops between parent and child is a key to unlocking the potential for empathy, caring, and civic participation in adult life.
What happens in our Family programs is a prototype for the benefits of our public programs. Creative people are the most important resources of our institutions. The programs and experiences we support should unlock creative energy to shape a better household, neighborhood, village, and world.
mail@mohumanities.org