Oregon Humanities

Oregon Humanities is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Oregon Humanities, formerly the Oregon Council for the Humanities, was established in 1971 and is one of five statewide partners of the Oregon Cultural Trust. If you have questions about any of our programs, please view our staff list to find the appropriate contact person or call us at (503) 241-0543 in Portland or (800) 735-0543 from elsewhere in the state.

Our Mission

Oregon Humanities connects Oregonians to ideas that change lives and transform communities.

Our Work

Oregon Humanities’ programs and publications provide a forum for individuals and communities to raise questions, challenge assumptions, listen to others, and think critically about the issues that directly affect their lives and those of the people around them. Our programs are designed to inspire insights, or what we call “O. Hm.” moments.

The Impact of Our Work

The impact of this work is profound—participants listen, question, rethink, and consider more deeply and, as a result, act from a place of knowledge, compassion, connectedness, and personal responsibility.

How We Work

We strive to be a catalyst and facilitator for thoughtful conversations by being:

• accessible and approachable, inviting Oregonians with varied perspectives and experiences to participate;
• committed to collaborating and building partnerships with other organizations;
• responsive to history and the issues that directly impact the lives of Oregonians;
• provocative, providing programs and publications that stimulate thought and challenge people to consider alternative points of view.

The Humanities

The humanities are more than the disciplines that document past and present human experience—history; literature; language; ethics and philosophy; and various legal, cultural, religious, and folk traditions. The humanities are dynamic, prompting action on our part and encouraging us to investigate, speak, listen, read, reflect, think, and act. We experience change through the humanities. We can become open, empathetic, understanding, and compassionate, or even disturbed, challenged, and enlightened. By engaging with and through the humanities, we grow.