April 21, 2026

The Poetry Express: On the Road with Oregon's Poet Laureate

Oregon's Poet Laureate, Ellen Waterston, has visited twenty-two of the state's thirty-six counties in the past two years. At this event, she will reflect on her first term and her Poetry in Public Places initiative, read some of her work, and offer writing exercises for the audience to try.

noon to 1:30 p.m., Larkspur Community Center, Bend

April 24, 2026

Tough Shit with Oregon Humanities

Tough Shit is an onstage conversation about the most challenging questions Portlanders are facing. We’ll bring together four people with very different experiences of and perspectives on the city to talk through some shit with help from the audience and a moderator.

Joining us for this conversation are journalists Leah Sottile and Jonathan Maus, cultural strategist Kimiko Matsuda, and former city council candidate Heart Free Pham.

7:00 p.m., Tomorrow Theater, Portland

April 25, 2026

The Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander Narrative and Experience in Oregon

Join Springfield Public Library for a conversation about Latino, Asian American, and Pacific Islander history and experiences. The program will explore topics including freedom, belonging, and marginalization through the lens of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Register here.

6:00 p.m., Cottage Grove Public Market, Cottage Grove

April 27, 2026

Conversation Project: Housing and Belonging

Housing and homelessness is a visible and divisive issue in local media, in politics, and across different communities within our state. Many of us were experiencing housing instability and economic uncertainty even during the “boom” times before the current crisis. This conversation will explore common assumptions and perspectives about the experience of houselessness/homelessness and seek to answer the question, How do we decide who “belongs” in our community?

This event will take place in the Kim Puzey Community Room #134

1:00 p.m., Blue Mountain Community College - Hermiston Campus, Hermiston

April 28, 2026

Conversation Project: Housing and Belonging

Housing and homelessness is a visible and divisive issue in local media, in politics, and across different communities within our state. Many of us were experiencing housing instability and economic uncertainty even during the “boom” times before the current crisis. This conversation will explore common assumptions and perspectives about the experience of houselessness/homelessness and seek to answer the question, How do we decide who “belongs” in our community?

This event will take place in Pioneer Hall.

1:00 p.m., Blue Mountain Community College, Pendleton

April 30, 2026

Live Watch Party: Labor, Farmworker Organizing, and Histories of Indigenous Communities in Oregon

Join Willamette University's Department of Community Engagment for a live screening of our Consider This conversation "Labor, Farmworker Organizing, and Histories of Indigenous Communities in Oregon." 

This event will take place in Ford Hall at Willamette University, Room 102.

7:00 p.m., Willamette University, Ford Hall, Salem

April 30, 2026

Consider This: Labor, Farmworker Organizing, and Histories of Indigenous Communities in Oregon

Joaquín Lara Midkiff moderates this conversation with labor organizers Reyna López and Ramón Ramírez. The conversation will illuminate the many ways that the mid-Willamette Valley has been home to powerful farmworker and solidarity movements that transformed the lives of migrant laborers and reshaped Oregon's political and economic landscape.

7:00 p.m., Mt. Angel Theater Studio, Mt. Angel

April 30, 2026

Consider This Watch Party: Labor, Farmworker Organizing, and Histories of Indigenous Communities in Oregon

Join the Office of Civic Engagement at Willamette University for a watch party of our Consider This conversation Labor, Farmworker Organizing, and Histories of Indigenous Communities in Oregon, streamed live from Mt. Angel.

7:00 p.m., Willamette University - Putnam University Center, Salem

April 30, 2026

Beyond 250 Community Dinner

Join Echo Public Library for a free community dinner provided by H&P Cafe and a guided conversation exploring ideas of equality, liberty, and the future of our community as part of Oregon Humanities' Beyond 250 initiative. This event brings people together to share a meal, listen, and reflect on the next 250 years. Anna Lemmon will facilitate the conversation.

5:30 p.m., Echo City Hall, Community Center, and Library, Echo

May 1, 2026

"Labor" Issue Release Party

Join the editors of Oregon Humanities magazine to celebrate the release of our Spring 2026 issue, "Labor." We will gather at Rosentstadt Brewery in Northeast Portland for a May Day happy hour. Meet contributors, pick up an extra copy for your neighbor, and stay for a drink!

4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Rosenstadt Brewery, Portland