About Us

Mission

Nevada Humanities connects and transforms communities by sharing and amplifying the stories, ideas, experiences, and traditions of the diverse people of Nevada.

Vision

Nevada Humanities envisions a Nevada where people thrive in just and healthy communities, where connection and participation are part of everyday life, and where diverse perspectives are welcomed and valued.

Equity

Nevada Humanities is committed to equity and inclusion in everything we do. Nevada Humanities believes that diversity, equity, empathy, respect, connection, and participation are the building blocks to a just and thriving society. We are committed to the equitable treatment of all people in every aspect of our organization and its activities, and in our understanding of who participates in – and has access to – the humanities.

What are the humanities?

At Nevada Humanities, our emphasis is on the public humanities, and we understand the humanities to be how people process, document, express, comprehend, and live the human experience, and that through the wide breadth of human learning, civic, social, and cultural activities, everyone participates in and has access to the humanities. While we value traditional academic humanities disciplines (such as linguistics, literature, history, jurisprudence, philosophy, archaeology, comparative religion and belief, ethics, the history, criticism and theory of the arts, etc.), we see the humanities as encompassing a wide range of activities and creative expressions that contribute to our individual and collective sense of being human.

Staff

Christina Barr

Executive Director
cbarr@nevadahumanities.org
775-784-6587

Bobbie Ann Howell

Program Manager
bahowell@nevadahumanities.org
702-800-4670

Kathleen Kuo

Program Manager
kkuo@nevadahumanities.org
775-784-6587

Opportunities

There are no opportunities listed at the moment. Please check back.

History of Nevada Humanities

Founded in 1971, Nevada Humanities is one of 56 independent state and territorial humanities councils affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). With offices in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada Humanities creates public programs and supports public projects statewide that define the Nevada experience, connect Nevadans, and explore issues that matter to Nevadans and their communities.

The early years of Nevada Humanities were defined by programming that enhanced the traditional humanities disciplines of history, literature, and philosophy. The 1970s and 1980s saw growth and expansion of cultural programs that spread the voice and vision of the humanities statewide. Nevada Humanities opened its first southern Nevada office in Las Vegas and became one of the original 22 states to join the newly formed State Federation of Humanities Councils.

The 1990s marked a shift from solely regranting NEH funds to doing statewide programming work with the creation of the Humanities Awards in 1990, the start of the Great Basin Young Chautauqua program in 1993, and the original Great Basin Book Festival in 1997. New programs were created to address demographic changes in Nevada.

Staying true to its cultural and heritage programming, Nevada Humanities in the 2000s promoted not only history but also connected communities through the humanities. The Young Chautauqua program received a ‘Coming Up Taller’ award from the President’s Commission on Arts and Humanities in 2001, two successful Smithsonian Museum on Main Street exhibits (Barn Again! and Between Fences) toured the state, and a new online culture and history program began with the launch of the Online Nevada Encyclopedia (ONE).

Today Nevada Humanities shares and promotes the humanities in the Silver State through cultural events, diverse programs and partnerships that connect Nevadans, and grants that fund humanities projects statewide. Nevada Humanities continues to build a connected and engaged Nevada.

History of Our Logo

We are often asked about our logo and its distinctive hand imprint. The Nevada Humanities hand is symbolic of our shared humanity and inspired by a carved petroglyph located in Rattlesnake Well, Mineral County, Nevada.

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Leadership

Nevada Humanities is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees made up of leaders in the humanities, businesses, community members, and nonprofit administration from around the state.

CHAIR

Shaun Griffin, Poet, Translator, Editor, Community Activist, Virginia City

VICE CHAIR

Nancy Brune, CEO, Luz Development Institute, Las Vegas

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Katie Donovan, Educator, French Ford Middle School, Winnemucca

Linda Faiss, Founder and President, Faiss Foley Warren Public Affairs and Government Relations, Zephyr Cove and Reno

Debra Harry, Lecturer in Gender, Race, and Identity, University of Nevada, Reno, Nixon and Reno

BOARD MEMBERS

Sally Denton, Author, Journalist, and Independent Scholar, Boulder City

Nancy Cummings-Schmidt, Literacy Advocate and Retired Library Director, Washoe County Library System, Reno

Monique Laxalt, Attorney, Dunlop & Laxalt, Reno

Scott Seeley, Co-Owner, The Writer’s Block Bookstore and Cafe, Las Vegas

NOMINATE SOMEONE TO SERVE

Every year we seek nominations for new members to serve three-year terms on our Board of Trustees. Applications for the Board of Trustees are due by May 30 each year. Please contact Nevada Humanities if you are interested in applying.