Virginia Humanities and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise) are pleased to announce a new regional humanities center in Southwest Virginia headquartered at the College.
Named “Virginia Humanities at UVA Wise,” this new partnership will amplify stories from across Southwest Virginia and illustrate the ways the humanities bring communities together to foster dialogue and understanding.
Throughout the last five decades, Virginia Humanities has supported efforts to document, preserve and amplify Virginia’s history, heritage and cultural traditions. “Since our founding, our mission has been to support and bring the humanities to all Virginians,” said Virginia Humanities’ executive director Matthew Gibson.
“We are thrilled about our new partnership with Virginia Humanities,” said Jinny Turman, who serves as co-director of the College’s Center for Appalachian Studies (CAS) and associate professor of history at UVA Wise. “This collaboration will enable us to expand our work and reach even further into communities in Southwest Virginia in ways that preserve and protect the unique culture in the region.”
UVA Wise was founded in 1954 and is today a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. The College is currently experiencing consecutive years of enrollment growth.
UVA Wise’s Center for Appalachian Studies (CAS) was founded in 2013 for the study of the region’s history, culture, economy, environment, and health, with an eye toward protection, preservation and progress.
Virginia Humanities at UVA Wise is the second of several new regional humanities centers being launched as Virginia Humanities celebrates its 50th anniversary. It follows a center that opened in Norfolk at WHRO Public Media in July. Each center will be headquartered within an existing regional organization, in either a cultural nonprofit, two-year, or four-year college. Virginia Humanities will provide expertise and funds for regranting to other local nonprofit organizations. In turn, each center will be able to support humanities programs and conversations about local topics their residents care about most.
Gibson said the regional centers are critical for the future of Virginia Humanities’ mission to center the humanities in public life. “This network of humanities centers stretching across the state will expand our work and our capacity to honor the vibrant voices and cultures that define Virginia,” said Gibson. Virginia Humanities at UVA Wise officially opens on December 2, 2024. More centers will follow as Virginia Humanities celebrates its 50th anniversary through the end of 2025.
