California Humanities

08/20/2026

Reclaiming Our Stories: Reflecting on the Land is now open at the California Museum! 🌿

Experience the stories, perspectives, and connections to land shared by California Native peoples through this traveling exhibition—on view through October 4.

📍 California Museum, Sacramento
🎧 And keep the experience going: listen to the Reclaiming Our Stories: Voices of Indigenous Peoples of California podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

See the exhibit. Hear the stories. Reflect on the land.

07/29/2026

History matters.

California Humanities has published History Matters: A California Humanities Statement, affirming the importance of public history and supporting the principles outlined in In Defense of Public History, published by Zócalo Public Square.

As an organization dedicated to connecting Californians to ideas and one another, we believe the humanities help us better understand our shared past and shape a more thoughtful future.

We invite you to read our full statement and, afterward, explore the original essay that inspired it.

California Humanities supports the thoughtful essay In Defense of Public History, published by Zócalo Public Square and co-authored by historian William Deverell, USC Professor of History and former California Humanities […]

07/24/2026

🎬✨ Stories have the power to connect us.

California Humanities was proud to celebrate the Los Angeles premiere of American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez at Vidiots.

Made possible in part through a California Documentary Project grant, the film by David Alvarado and Lauren DeFilippo tells the remarkable story of Luis Valdez and the lasting impact of El Teatro Campesino on California and American culture.

A special thank you to our President & CEO Rick Noguchi for welcoming guests, and to moderator Novena Carmel and panelists Luis Valdez, Dolores Huerta, Edward James Olmos, Lou Diamond Phillips, David Alvarado, and Lauren DeFilippo for an inspiring conversation following the screening.

Here’s to the storytellers who help us better understand our past, one another, and the future we’re creating together. ❤️

07/21/2026

Communities grow stronger when people come together to share stories, listen, and learn from one another.

We're excited to announce the recipients of the second round of California Humanities' Connecting California grants, awarding $40,000 to eight community-led projects that use the humanities to foster understanding, empathy, and connection across our state.

From veterans sharing their lived experiences with students to community storytelling exhibitions, cultural programs, and public dialogues, these projects demonstrate how the humanities can strengthen civic life and build bridges across differences.

Congratulations to this outstanding group of grantees! We look forward to seeing the impact of your work in communities throughout California.

Read the full announcement and meet this year's grantees: 👇

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Shonda Moore Director of Marketing & Communications (951) 963-4362 [email protected] Oakland, CA (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) — California Humanities has announced $40,000 in grant awards to eight […]

06/28/2026

✨ Thank you for joining us for Futures of Sovereignty, our live recording of Reclaiming Our Stories: Voices of Indigenous Peoples of California.

Together, we gathered in community to listen deeply, honor Indigenous knowledge, and reflect on our collective responsibilities to future generations. We are deeply grateful to our host, guests, cultural performers, and every person who shared this space with us.

From the Land Welcome and traditional song offerings to powerful conversations on sovereignty, storytelling, and Indigenous futures, this evening reminded us that our stories are living pathways to understanding, connection, and change.

Thank you for helping us reclaim stories and imagine a more just and inclusive future for California. 💛

06/28/2026

Today’s the day!

06/25/2026

California Humanities is proud to support Proud Stutterer, a documentary in development that was recently featured at the California State Capitol during a special event hosted by Speaker Robert Rivas.
The event brought together advocates, storytellers, and community members to uplift the voices of people who stutter and to advance awareness, acceptance, and disability representation.
We’re honored to support documentary storytelling that helps Californians share their lived experiences, challenge stigma, and build understanding across communities.
As state budget discussions continue, we remain hopeful that California will invest in California Humanities and help unlock critical federal funding through the National Endowment for the Humanities—ensuring we can continue supporting powerful stories from across the state.

06/01/2026

📖 One book. Three states. Hundreds of libraries. Thousands of readers.

This weekend marked the culmination of One Book, One Coast, a regional reading initiative that brought together libraries, cultural organizations, and readers across California, Oregon, and Washington through a shared reading of They Called Us Enemy by George Takei.

The celebration featured a special conversation with George Takei and remarks from Skye Patrick.

California Humanities was proud to support a program that demonstrates the power of stories to connect people, spark dialogue, and build community across the West Coast.

Thank you to everyone who read, reflected, and participated in this year’s One Book, One Coast. 💙

05/29/2026

🎉 Congratulations to the newest recipients of Connecting California funding!

Across California, organizations are creating opportunities for people to connect through stories, culture, history, and community conversations. We are proud to support these inspiring projects and the communities they serve.

As we celebrate our newest awardees, we’re also excited to announce that Round 3 of Connecting California is now open.

If your organization has an idea that brings Californians together through the humanities, we encourage you to apply.

📅 Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through July 13, 2027.

Explore the opportunity and learn more at California Humanities.

05/27/2026

We’re proud to share that our President & CEO, Rick Noguchi, will join national leaders for the Opening Keynote Conversation at the upcoming virtual summit convened by the American Association for State and Local History on Wednesday, May 27, from 9:30–10:30 a.m. PT.

Facilitated by Jamie Bosket, the conversation will explore how historical organizations and cultural institutions can help strengthen democratic practice through storytelling, public engagement, and the humanities.

Also joining the keynote:
• Natalia Crujeiras

In America’s 250th anniversary year, the two-day summit will explore how history organizations can help strengthen civic participation, bridge divides, and address contemporary challenges through public history and community engagement.