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.

Rain Poetry

PA Humanities has announced the recipients of its first-ever Rain Poetry Grants, awarding funding to ten youth-serving organizations from across Pennsylvania to develop public humanities projects that center young voices, encourage community connection, and bring poetry to public spaces.

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.

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

Community Building, Featured, Grantmaking, News, Wingspan

How three Wingspan grantees are moving beyond traditional community engagement

PA Humanities launched the two-year Wingspan grant program in 2024. Learn how Friends of the Tanner House, the Chester Cultural Arts and Technology Center and the Crawford County Historical Society used the funding and peer support to strengthen their work as living, collaborative experiences rooted in local history and expanded community partnerships.

Featured, Grantmaking, News, Storytelling, Wingspan

Education, News, Youth-Led Humanities

PA Heart & Soul

Featured, News, Storytelling, Voices of History

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.

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 16

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Yesterday in the Pennsylvania House, @repciresi opened session with a reading of “The Window Keeper” by @yolandawisher, a powerful reflection on the everyday acts of care and leadership that sustain our democracy.

We were also honored to have our Executive Director Laurie Zierer recognized from the House floor by Speaker @repjoannamcclinton.

This was a preview of what’s to come.

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we are preparing to launch The Window Keeper: Civic Honors, a new humanities initiative inviting nominations from across the Commonwealth to recognize neighbors, educators, organizers, and others making a difference in daily civic life.

We are excited to share more soon. Stay tuned!

Window Keeper initiatives are supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, PA state legislators, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and support from Randall Miller. ...

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Apr 3

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❤️ Stand with PA Humanities and support our critical work across the state:

https://pahumanities.org/donate

...

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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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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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