We find the

human
connections

in the humanities

We champion the humanities to spark civic engagement, build community, educate, inspire, and make long-lasting change.

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Special Project

Let's Rise: 50th Anniversary Videos

Watch these videos created by Emmy-winning journalist Kelly Dessoye - they are powerful examples of how everyday people across Pennsylvania are using the tools of the humanities to strengthen their lives and communities.

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Research

Cultural Dynamics

Cultural Dynamics is a collaborative, community-driven effort to shape Philadelphia’s first Cultural Plan. The process convened artists, cultural workers, institutions, funders, residents, and civic partners to understand what Philadelphia’s cultural sector needs to thrive—and to mobilize the community toward collective action.

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Other Work

$5.3m

in direct grants since 2020

69

core program sites
in the past 5 years

297

organizations granted funds
in the past 5 years

$2M+

granted in the past 2 years

330

organizations granted funds
in the past two years

73

core program sites
in the past 5 years

the

The cover image is a collage featuring screenshots from the various video projects, including historic homes, an old mill, a family with young children engaged in an archaeology dig, and an old photo of horses in a field with an old barn.
  • Featured, Grantmaking, News, Storytelling, Wingspan

Wingspan grantees illuminate Pennsylvania’s past through storytelling

PA Humanities’ Wingspan grants are helping organizations across Pennsylvania bring community stories to life and spotlight voices too often left out of the historical record. From documentaries exploring the Underground Railroad to award-winning films uncovering Jefferson County’s industrial and agricultural past, Wingspan funding has given historians and storytellers the flexibility to research, film, teach, and share their work in meaningful ways. The result is history that feels personal, connected, and alive.
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Julia Katz stands, smiling, wearing a mustard-colored top, at the front of the room in the background while a group of women who are attendees at the Youth-Led Humanities Community Culture Changers convening are seated around round tables, smiling and laughing.
  • Education, News, Youth-Led Humanities
When teens take the lead: Inside PA Humanities’ youth-led approach
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Explore-Thumbnails-Research

Research

We contribute our learnings to the larger conversation about the role of the humanities in creating lasting change through major projects, including PA CultureCheck, PA Humanities Discovery Project, and more. We put participatory research at the forefront of all our work and partner with scholars, consultants, and a cross-sector of leaders including Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania’s PennPraxis, Elizabeth Myrick + Associates, and Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

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Support Our Work

An independent nonprofit that puts people first, PA Humanities relies on financial support from people like you. As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary, your support will help more Pennsylvanians experience the humanities and put them in action through civic engagement, education, building community, and however they are inspired to make change.

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Apr 1

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📣 @TannerHouseFriends invites you to participate in a North Philly Story Circle! As part of Voices of History: Stories from Black Pennsylvanians, we’re gathering community members to share stories that reflect the strength and legacy of Black families in North Philadelphia. 🗓 April 4, 2026 ⏰ Arrive at 11:30AM | Story sharing begins at 12PM 📍 Cecil B. Moore Library at 2320 Cecil B. Moore Avenue in Philadelphia Come share a story about a place, person, or moment that matters to you. Free lunch will be served! Learn more about Voices of History: PAHumanities.org/Voices #VoicesOfHistory @cecilbmoorelibrary #SaveCecilBMooreLibrary @philatheatreco

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pahumanities

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Mar 11

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Can you spot PA Heart & Soul in this fabulous quilt hanging in the offices of @communityheartandsoul ? It was created using t-shirt pieces from Heart & Soul towns across the country. Each square represents a community, and together they form a beautiful reminder of the connections that unite the Heart & Soul network. Check out pahumanities.org to learn about all the towns in our PA Heart & Soul network using the tools of the humanities to turn their stories turn into shared goals and build their future together.

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Feb 2

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🎉PA Humanities is proud to announce our first-ever 2026 Rain Poetry Grant awardees! Building on the success of our popular statewide Rain Poetry program, ten organizations across Pennsylvania will receive funding to support youth creativity by bringing young people’s words to life in public spaces through rain-activated poetry installations and public celebrations. Congrats to the awardees: Basement Poetry - Bethlehem, Lehigh County Boyertown Community Library - Boyertown, Berks County Carlisle Arts Learning Center - Carlisle, Cumberland County Chester Writers House / Sparrow House - Chester, Delaware County City Charter High School - Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Confluence Creative Arts Center - Confluence, Somerset County Corry Higher Education Council - Corry, Erie County Friends’ Memorial Public Library - Kane, McKean County Pearl S. Buck International - Perkasie, Bucks County Rodef Shalom Congregation - Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Find the full press release on PAHumanities.org Rain Poetry is part of PA Humanities’ ongoing work to spark creativity, strengthen communities, and connect people through the power of the humanities. Its expansion has been made possible with the support of Pennsylvania’s state legislators. Funding has been provided by William Penn Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance, Richard King Mellon Foundation, The Grable Foundation, The Wyomissing Foundation, with support from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth Financing Authority, and the Department of Community and Economic Development Community and Economic Assistance Program. #RainPoetry #RainPoetryPA @basementpoetry @boyertown.library @carlislearts @chester_writers_house @cityhighpgh @confluencecreativeartscenter @corryhied @pearlsbuckintl @rodef.shalom

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