Mission & Vision

Mission

The Maine Humanities Council, a statewide non-profit organization, uses the humanities—literature, history, philosophy, and culture—as a tool for positive change in Maine communities. Our programs and grants encourage critical thinking and conversations across social, economic, and cultural boundaries.

Vision

Maine communities transformed by the power and pleasure of ideas. 


Equity & Inclusion

The Maine Humanities Council acknowledges that the humanities often privilege some groups over others, reflect our society’s structural racism, and define the contours of humanity in exclusionary ways. 

The MHC has shifted our priorities in an effort to acknowledge and address the marginalization that exists in our culture and within the humanities. It is our hope that our shifts can begin to make amends for the ways we have knowingly or unknowingly reinforced oppressive systems and exclusion.

Read full Statement on Equity & Inclusion

By the Numbers

95%

of participants feel more connected to their communities*

$1,198,184

total grant awards*

95%

of participants feel inspired to learn more about a topic discussed in their program*

*Since January 2020

public humanities prize holders

The Constance H. Carlson Public Humanities Prize is awarded to a Maine resident who has connected and empowered people in Maine through the public humanities.

Maya Williams

Portland Poet Laureate

For their powerful creation of safe spaces for discussion and art, whose leadership ensure that people engage with empathy, community, and understanding. 


Myron M. Beasley, PhD

Associate Professor, Bates College

For his innovative leadership in conversations around art, his care in connecting audiences, and the breadth and depth he brings to his creative projects. 

Staff

Executive Director
she/her
Contact Samaa

Program Coordinator
he/him
Contact Harper

Digital Media Coordinator
he/him
Contact Genius

Office Manager
she/her
Contact Karen

Director of Development
she/her
Contact Diane

Operations Manager & Program Specialist
she/her
Contact Marcela

Program Manager
she/her
Contact Nicole

Program Coordinator
she/her
Contact Meghan

Program Coordinator
she/her
Contact Lizz

Social Media Manager
he/him they/them
Contact Sampson

Program Coordinator
she/her
Contact Kyle

Communications Manager
he/him
Contact Ian

Board of Directors

Greg Fahy

Board Chair
Hallowell

Paul Buck

Vice Chair
St. Agatha

Julie Sheehan

Treasurer
Auburn

Joseph M. Hall

Secretary
Lewiston

Jean Deighan

Bangor

Martha Tod Dudman

Northeast Harbor

Ayesha Hall

Auburn

Tam Thanh T. Huynh

Augusta

Margery Irvine

Brooklin

Ryan Lolar

Portland

Georges Budagu Makoko

Portland

Rosalani Moore

Verona Island

Mouhamédoul Niang

Portland

Amie Parker

Buckfield

Lise Pelletier

Fort Kent

Brendon Reay

Blue Hill

Latest News

Sep 11, 2024
2024’s summer Mini Grant awardees include community storytelling projects, museum…
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Jul 15, 2024
2024’s summer Arts & Humanities Grant awardees include an exhibit…
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Jun 10, 2024
How Might Humanities Councils Engage with People and Organizations Most…
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May 13, 2024
Over $15,000 supporting Eight projects across Maine2024’s spring Mini Grant…
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Support MHC

Your gift will increase connections, agency, and engagement throughout Maine and help provide the facilitators, speakers, and books needed to create all of our programming.

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