About Oklahoma Humanities

The mission of Oklahoma Humanities is to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives and participate knowledgeably in civic life.

The humanities help us understand what it means to be human — and to benefit from the experience, research, and ideas of both leading scholars and everyday citizens. The academic disciplines of the humanities include such fields of learning as history, language, literature, film studies, art history and criticism, archaeology, jurisprudence, ethics, and philosophy.

At Oklahoma Humanities, we use the humanities in diverse settings across the state to help all Oklahomans think more deeply about the choices they face at home, at work, in their communities and in our democracy.

We put the humanities into action through innovative programming and collaborations, including:

• BrainBox podcast
• Humanities Grants
• Let’s Talk About it, Oklahoma reading and discussion program
• Museum on Main Street, a collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution
• Oklahoma Humanities magazine

Each year, our programming, grants, and partnerships engage people across the state with bold ideas — creating new conversations and inspiring civic engagement that strengthens our state.

On average, each year, Oklahoma Humanities:

• Grants over $200,000 to nonprofit organizations
• Leverages $7 in local support for every federal dollar granted
• Serves over 150,000 people through our grant program
• Supports 50 reading and discussion programs through Let’s Talk About it, Oklahoma
• Reaches 3,000 Let’s Talk About it, Oklahoma participants
• Distributes 24,000 free copies of Oklahoma Humanities magazine
• Engages 1,500 listeners through the BrainBox podcast

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