Where differences divide, CULTURE CONNECTS
Wisconsin Humanities helps people listen, learn, share stories, and strengthen communities across Wisconsin.
Tradition Bearers, Live!
Comes to Madison August 20th!
The stories behind the art. The voices behind the traditions. Join Wisconsin Humanities for an evening of art, storytelling, music, and conversation featuring traditional artists from across the state who participated in the Wisconsin By the People Project.
Why the Humanities Matter
The humanities enable us to share history, culture, and lived experiences in ways that are accessible, relevant, and engaging. They help us understand our own communities and identities, connect with others across differences, make sense of current issues using history and context, and feel a stronger sense of belonging.
At a time when communities across Wisconsin are experiencing increasing isolation and division, connection and belonging are not optional. They are essential.
Wisconsin Humanities supports this work at the local level, ensuring that communities of all sizes have access to the tools, resources, and funding needed to engage in meaningful civic and cultural life.
The humanities are not luxuries. They are the traditions, the stories, languages, and cultural practices that knit Wisconsin together. They help us explore who we are, where we come from, and what we share.
With the humanities, we build trust…that turns into action.
What We Do
Wisconsin Humanities strengthens communities across all 72 counties by supporting public humanities programs, funding local cultural and civic initiatives, and creating platforms for authentic storytelling that connect Wisconsinites. Through this work, we build social bonds between diverse populations, develop local leadership, and foster meaningful dialogue across geographic, cultural, and political differences.
We support this work at the local level by providing tools, resources, training, and funding that help communities engage in meaningful civic and cultural life.
Our work includes:
- Matching grants that support local community-designed cultural, educational, and civic programs and initiatives.
- Digital and in-person storytelling platforms that amplify voices and help Wisconsinites better understand one another.
- Community Powered training that helps local leaders identify community strengths, build shared visions, and turn those visions into action.
