Idaho Humanities Council

10/15/2026

This Week Take a Hike With Yesenia Montilla

Yesenia Montilla is a daughter of immigrants and an Afro-Latina poet, educator, and translator who lives in Harlem, NY. She received her MFA in poetry and poetry translation from Drew University. Her poetry has been anthologized in Latino Poetry (2024), edited by Rigoberto González, and the Best American Poetry in 2021 and 2022. Montilla is also the author of Muse Found in a Colonized Body (2022), which was a finalist for the 2023 NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry, and The Pink Box, published in 2015, which was also longlisted for a PEN Open Book Award. Her poem, Maps, was part of the Pulitzer Prize winning composer Caroline Shaw’s oratorio The Listeners. Montilla currently teaches poetry at The Juilliard School.

Access the Poem: https://poets.org/poem/maps

Take A Hike is a virtual program designed to get Idahoans enjoying the outdoors with a reading inspired by the beauty of this land. Each week we suggest a reading to help you make the most of your outdoor adventures! We will include short stories, poems, cartoons, essays, songs and more.

Share your photos/thoughts/inspiration with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at [email protected].

10/14/2026

Join the Hemingway Center on Wednesday, October 21, at 5pm at the Hemingway Center where award-winning filmmaker, Shaka King, to discuss his evolution as a filmmaker and view some clips from his work over the years.

This event is free and open to the public.

10/13/2026

October is National Ars and Humanities Month. To celebrate, we asked our board members what the humanities mean to them.

Here is what Idaho Falls board member, Catherine Black said, “In Dead Poets Society, Professor John Keating (played by Robin Williams) says, "Now I see that look in Mr. Pitts' eyes, like literature and poetry have nothing to do with going to business school, right? Maybe ... Medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.

I was trying to use A.I. (Gemini) to track down another quote I thought I remembered, and more than once it gave me quotes that sounded great until I asked it for the specific reference so I could look it up myself.

Then Gemini would say, “You caught me – I completely made that quote up. I apologize for generating a fabricated quote while trying to find a line that perfectly fit your theme for National Arts and Humanities Month.”

That’s kind of funny.

So, I think we are left with the Dead Poets Society quote. I do love that movie.”

Let us know what movies help highlight the humanities for you!

10/11/2026

10/08/2026

Next weekend on October 17, 2026, the Hemingway Center at Boise State University will host Organ concert with Raphael Vogl and the Boise Baroque Orchestra, Saturday, October 17, at 2pm.

For those who have attended past organ concerts, you will recognize Raphael's name. This is his 3rd visit from Germany to perform at the Hemingway Center. This will be a special Baroque treat.

See the flyer for ticketing information. (Tickets also available at the door).

10/07/2026

October is National Arts and Humanities Month. To celebrate, we asked our board what they value about the humanities.

Boise board member, Bob Reinhardt responded, “The humanities are about the variety of ways - through literature, history, poetry, philosophy, that the humanities help us value and understand the beauty of the magnificent landscapes we live in. To wonder at the grandeur of the Sawtooths, to be thrilled by the whitewater of the Salmon River, to be stilled by the endless quiet and dark of the skies in Craters of the Moon- these are the experiences that the humanities help us to access and comprehend.”

What do the humanities mean to you?

10/06/2026

The Idaho State Historical Society was recently awarded an NEH grant for a new exhibition at the historic Old Idaho Penitentiary. The program, “A Nation of Laws,” will orient visitors to the historical and civic context for the site through immersive multimedia presentations. Read more: https://shorturl.at/po8GV

10/05/2026

📢 FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT: IMLS NATIVE LIBRARY SERVICES GRANTS

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has announced funding opportunities for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian organizations through three library grant programs.

📅 Application Deadline: November 13, 2026

1. Native American Library Services: Basic Grants
Noncompetitive grants of $6,000–$10,000 for federally recognized Tribes and eligible Alaska Native organizations to establish, sustain, and improve library services and operations. Learn more at: https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/native-american-library-services-basic-grants

2. Native American Library Services: Enhancement Grants
Competitive grants of $50,000–$150,000 for projects that sustain or improve library services for Native communities. Grants support projects of up to two years. Learn more at: https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/native-american-library-services-enhancement-grants

3. Native Hawaiian Library Services
Competitive grants of $50,000–$150,000 for eligible nonprofit organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians. Grants support projects of one to two years. Learn more: https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/native-hawaiian-library-services

🔄 Please share this funding announcement with Tribal libraries, library staff, cultural institutions, and organizations that may be eligible.

10/05/2026

This Fall marks the 8th Boise State Listens, which is set for October 8, 2026 at 7PM in the SPEC located in the SUB.

Students from across campus will speak on 'What they value and why' to an audience who remains silent. Refreshments to follow, and the event is free and open to the public.

Please consider attending and bring a friend along!

Learn more by scanning the QR code or visiting: https://www.boisestate.edu/americanvalues/

10/03/2026

🌕Tickets for our North Idaho Distinguished Lecture are going fast! Get yours before they sell out.


Astronaut Scott Kelly will give this year’s North Idaho Distinguished Lecture on October 29, 2026 at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. Learn more and purchase tickets: https://idahohumanities.org/2024northidaho/