Virginia Humanities is the state humanities council. We’re headquartered in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia, but we serve the entire state.
We aim to share the stories of all Virginians—or, better yet, find ways for people to share their own stories. We want Virginians to connect with their history and culture and, in doing that, we hope we’ll all better understand one another.
Founded in 1974, we are one of fifty-six humanities councils created by Congress with money and support from the National Endowment for the Humanities to make the humanities available to all Americans. As a non-partisan organization, we have been successful thanks to many years of strong bi-partisan commitment to our work at federal and state levels, as well as from the NEH itself.
Mission
We connect people and ideas to explore the human experience.
Vision
We envision vibrant communities where we understand our histories, respect our commonalities and differences, and build a shared future, together.
Values
To work with people from all over the Commonwealth, we commit to the following values:
- Creativity: We embrace new ways of thinking and doing, we take calculated risks, and we are willing to try new things.
- Curiosity: We encourage and nurture curiosity to foster a deeper understanding of Virginia’s shared cultural heritage.
- Dignity: We strive to honor and amplify the diverse voices and stories making up the beautiful and imperfect tapestry of humanity.
- Humility: We approach our work with an open heart and a willingness to listen and learn from others.
- Inclusivity: We are dedicated to ensuring all voices are heard, experienced, and celebrated.
2024-2029 Strategic Priorities
- Virginia has pockets of unmet need and lack of access to the humanities. We will increase community access and participation in the humanities across the state.
- The humanities are integral to a thriving democracy. We will demonstrate why the humanities are essential.
- The humanities belong to all Virginians. We will amplify and support the work of on-the-ground humanities and culture workers throughout the Commonwealth by expanding partnerships and increasing resources.
- We are dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of the human experience. We will incorporate data-informed decision-making and evaluation to communicate about the humanities and make continuous improvement to our work and reach.
- Virginia Humanities recognizes the value of our team. We cultivate a workplace where the best people do their best work.
Discovery Virginia
Discovery Virginia is our own digital archive. It was created to digitize and preserve the thousands of valuable assets we have produced in our more than forty year history, ranging from rare musical recordings to oral histories and grant-funded films. This institutional repository gives you a single web-based point of access to digital content across all our programs. A major part of this project is the preservation of audio and video content stored on old media and in danger of being lost forever.
Our Team
We want to connect with you. If you have a question about one of our programs or how to apply for a grant or fellowship, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Our Board of Directors is comprised of Virginians from education, business, government, civic, and cultural communities. Each member serves for a three-year term, once renewable. Six members of the Board are appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia; the rest are elected by the Board.
Employment
At Virginia Humanities, we are wholly invested in cultivating a staff that embodies our commitment to inclusion, which is increasingly reflected in our cultural programming statewide. We deeply value the voices and work of marginalized communities and strongly encourage applicants who represent the diverse and intersecting identities that contribute to the fabric of Virginia.
Newsletters and Annual Reports
Stay up to date about everything we do across the Commonwealth and in your neighborhood.
