In brief
An overview of our programs.
Oregon Humanities Grants support public programs designed to explore the humanities in participatory and dynamic ways. We encourage applications from a broad range of nonprofit organizations in Oregon, including those that may not define their work as being based in the humanities. We especially welcome inquiries for projects that will attract diverse audiences, engage minds, and stimulate meaningful community dialogue.
The Conversation Project offers Oregon nonprofits free programs that engage community members in thoughtful, challenging conversations about ideas critical to our daily lives and our state's future. Conversations are facilitated by some of Oregon's most respected humanities scholars.
HIP is a free college humanities course for adults who do not have a college degree and who face financial barriers to continuing their education. Students read and discuss everything from Greek tragedies and philosophy to modern poetry and plays, experiencing new ideas and new ways of seeing themselves and the world. The course is taught by college faculty and meets twice a week in the evenings.
Idea Lab (formerly Happy Camp: Summer Honors Symposium) is a summer program where Oregon teens and teachers use the humanities to explore the pursuit of happiness and how it shapes our culture.
Think & Drink is a happy-hour series that sparks provocative conversations about big ideas. The series, which invites the public to think and talk together, reflects Oregon Humanities' emphasis on infusing important public conversations with critical thinking and fresh ideas. All Think & Drink events are free and open to the public.
In addition to ongoing regular programming, Oregon Humanities occasionally offers public lectures, panels, and reading and discussion series in communities around the state. We also work in partnership with other organizations to offer this type of programming.
Happy Camp is a summer honors symposium for bright, ambitious, curious teens who use the humanities to consider the pursuit of happiness and how it shapes our culture. In 2012, Happy Camp became Idea Lab.
Oregon Humanities no longer offers summer teacher institutes. We are proud of this program’s seventeen years of service to Oregon secondary school teachers throughout the state and are grateful to our generous funders and outstanding participants for their support.
Program news
What's happening in each of our programs
Apply Now for 2012 Public Program Grants
Oregon Humanities is pleased to announce the guidelines for 2012 Public Program Grants. We are particularly interested in proposals for programs that bring together diverse groups of Oregonians and reflect collaboration between organizations within a community, as well as proposals... More
More news about Grants
Apply Now for Conversation Project Program
Through January 31, 2012, Oregon nonprofits may apply to host Conversation Project programs taking place between March 1, 2012 and June 30, 2012.
Led by experts who are trained in facilitating public dialogues, these free programs explore the ideas and decisions Oregonians... More
More news about The Conversation Project
Apply for a Free, College-Level Humanities Course in Portland
Adults living on low incomes in the Portland area who want to explore challenging ideas about power, justice, knowledge, and community can now apply for Humanity in Perspective. HIP is a free, two-semester college course for adults who do not have a college degree (AA, BA, MA, etc.)... More
More news about Humanity in Perspective
Apply Now to Teach at Idea Lab Summer Institute
We’re looking for Oregon high school teachers interested in being 2012 Idea Lab fellows for our summer institute. Formerly Happy Camp, Idea Lab Summer Institute brings together sixteen teachers and one hundred rising seniors from high schools across the state to explore the pursuit... More
More news about Idea Lab
"Happiness Myth" Author Featured at Wordstock Think & Drink
Jennifer Michael Hecht, author of The Happiness Myth, headlines Wordstock Think & Drink on Wednesday, October 5, 2011, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at rontoms, 600 E. Burnside, Portland. In her book, Hecht explores the history of happiness, specifically looking at drugs, money, bodies, and... More
More news about Think & Drink
"Conflict" series at Oregon Humanities Center
Oregon Humanities is proud to cosponsor the 2011-12 “Conflict” series at the University of Oregon’s Oregon Humanities Center. From now until May 2012, OHC will offer film screenings and lectures focusing on this theme in Portland and Eugene. The schedule is as follows; more... More
More news about Special Projects
More news about Happy Camp
Become an Idea Lab Fellow
Moving forward, we will continue to serve Oregon teachers through Idea Lab (formerly Happy Camp: Summer Honors Symposium), founded in 2006, where Oregon teens and teachers gather at the University of Portland each summer for a weekend exploration of the pursuit of happiness.... More
More news about Teacher Institutes
Upcoming
Program events on the horizon
Conversation Project: Yesterday’s News
06 February 2012
Conversation Project: White Out?
09 February 2012
Conversation Project: Science Friction
09 February 2012
Bridging the Divide: Interfaith Conversations on Globalization
10 February 2012
Conversation Project: Yesterday’s News
11 February 2012
Comments
On our programs
Hi Jan. My first suggestion would be to visit the website for the Regional Arts & Culture Council. You might explore funding through the Washington County Cultural Coalition as well. I’ll email you a list of additional funders as well. Good luck with your project!
Jennifer Allen, Portland | on 2012 PP Grant application period opens
Hello!
I am an educator and volunteer coordinator at an incredible place called Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Our Preserve is 725 acres of wetlands and uplands which are used by nesting birds and wetland animals plus explored by many children and adults,especially bird-watchers. For years the only access to the Preserve was by car; there are no bus lines and it is dangerous to bike on the road. Our organization is working with the City of Hillsboro to construct a trail which would start in downtown Hillsboro and go through our wetlands to an existing Education Center. The reason I am reaching out to you is to see what suggestions you might have for funding a piece of art which would function as a gate to the wetlands, a portland to the natural area after coming out of the urban zone. There will be thousands of people who will use this entry and enjoy the artwork. We have an Artist, Valerie Otani, who creates public art, but we need funds for the materials which would be around $7,000. Do you know of any grants that might fit this need?
Jan Curry - 503-681-6283
Jan Curry, Hillsboro, OR | on 2012 PP Grant application period opens
Hi Theonie,
We would require a formal letter of interest. I’ll give you a call to discuss your program ideas!
Best,
Jennifer
Jennifer Allen, Portland | on Grants Workshops 2011
Sept. 24, 2011 - We have been setting up meetings under the October “National Arts & Huanities” to initiate awareness of an Arts & Wellnes Center
Concept in Wilsonville. The Wilsonville Arts & Culture Council would like to apply for a 2012 Public Program grant to hold a Creative Conversation at the Wilsonville Library after April
1, 2012. Will this message serve as a Letter of Interest due by Oct. 31? Or, do you wnat something
more formal? 503-638-6933
TheonieGilmore | on Grants Workshops 2011
I am interested in a discussion about Race and Change in Oregon through sports culture in Oregon. By looking at the Oregon football and basketball programs of the public universities suggests that enormous change has occurred regarding race in the state.
It is the perfect frame in which to broach a discussion about racial progress and post-race America. I would love to participate in such a conversation with any of the experts that Oregon Humanities has chosen for this year.
Dr. Thabiti Lewis, Portland Urban League | on Conversation Project 2011-12 program offerings
I would be interested in coming to these events….I occasionally complain about Trimet, but overall, they rock! I’ve lived in places with no public transportation and it’s really lonely. Thanks
Lynne Barrett, Portland | on Think & Drink growth development Portland
Hi Suzanne - the program will last an hour, so will be done by 1:00PM.
Jennifer Allen | on Brown Bag Lunch Panel with Melissa Harris-Perry
What is the length of the program? Thank you.
Suzanne | on Brown Bag Lunch Panel with Melissa Harris-Perry
Rhonda, no registration is required. See you there!
Eric Gold, Portland | on Brown Bag Lunch Panel with Melissa Harris-Perry
How do I register for the June 23rd brown bag event with Melissa Harris-Perry?
RHONDA DAVIS | on Brown Bag Lunch Panel with Melissa Harris-Perry