We're Listening, Wisconsin.

WH builds community. That’s why we gathered program partners and supporters in communities across the state, and virtually, at Listening Sessions in the fall of 2025. Our goal was to hear from the people who know their communities best, to help WH chart a new path forward – together.

We asked about the strengths and challenges that drive our partners’ community-building work today. Everyone learned a lot – and asked for gatherings like these! Meanwhile, things we heard are driving WH’s next chapter – which is already underway!

Listening Sessions: Fall 2025

Wisconsin Humanities held seven Listening Sessions in the fall of 2025 with librarians, civic leaders, teachers, donors, local historical society members, artists, scholars, and other program partners and supporters. We heard from our statewide community about the strengths people see in their communities -- strengths that we could build on together to engage residents and nurture community vitality. We also asked participants about the challenges their communities are facing.

We quickly realized that the Listening Sessions were as valuable for participants as for WH. That is why we are working to create a full-fledged WH program that fosters more community gatherings.

We heard repeatedly that the community builders who keep our communities humming want WH to do more to help them connect with each other, and to bring them more of the humanities skills and resources that help them make their communities thrive.

Click here to read a summary of what we learned.