Humanities Washington

06/02/2026

Happy Pride Month! 🌈 In 1986, Lisa Brodoff and Lynn Grotsky set out to secure legal parenting rights for their family – and helped change the law for same-sex couples across Washington. This month you can catch their Speakers Bureau presentation "The Struggle for Gay and Le***an Adoption Rights" in four locations around the state. Through this program (available to communities throughout the year), they tell the powerful story of their fight to secure parenting rights for same-sex couples and advance LGBTQ+ equality. Check out our calendar for details: https://www.humanities.org/events/

05/28/2026

Who gets to decide how AI shapes our lives? Join us online next week on June 3rd for a thought-provoking Speakers Bureau program hosted by Sno-Isle Libraries about the power, promises, and risks of artificial intelligence.

Professor Onur Bakiner of Seattle University explores how AI is changing work, society, and democracy – and what we can do to help shape a future where technology serves people, not just corporations. Don’t miss this timely discussion – register today!

Shouldn’t the public have a say in how AI is changing our lives? AI is marketed as a life-changing innovation made by brilliant experts and the companies they work for....

05/22/2026

Come find us at the 2026 Northwest Folklife Festival! Stop by to experience live performances, inspiring talks, and hands-on cultural activities with Humanities Washington & WA Cultures.

Choose from SIX different Speakers' Bureau talks throughout the weekend, and experience living traditions at the WACultures Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program Showcase on Friday at 4 pm, featuring traditional Lao dance and music, Mexican folkloric dance, and Carnatic music on the Indian violin.

You can also visit the Makers' Space and try your hand at Peruvian retablo-making and Japanese calligraphy – there’s something for everyone! See you at Seattle Center this weekend, May 22-25!

For more details and a larger map, visit https://www.humanities.org/story/catch-humanities-washington-and-wacultures-at-the-2026-northwest-folklife-festival/

Washington State Arts Commission

05/20/2026

As the 2026 Northwest Folklife Festival explores the theme of Ubuntu — “I am because we are” — Humanities Washington is honored to join a celebration of culture, conversation, and shared humanity.

Join us at the festival and experience living traditions at the WACultures Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program Showcase on May 22 at 4 pm at the Bagley Wright Theater. Catch a Speaker's Bureau talk on topics ranging from creative writing, to women's undergarments, to the vanguard generation of African American artists at various venues from May 22-25. Don't forget to stop by WACultures' table at the Makers' Space to try your hand at Peruvian retablo-making, Japanese calligraphy, or both!

Last but not least, have a look at this interview essay with former Humanities Washington Speaker's Bureau presenter Itohan Idumwonyi with her take on Ubuntu and how this African philosophy may be the antidote to a fractured world.

Read the interview:
https://www.humanities.org/spark/ubuntu-african-philosophy/

Learn more about the festival:
https://www.humanities.org/story/catch-humanities-washington-and-wacultures-at-the-2026-northwest-folklife-festival/

WA Cultures Washington State Arts Commission

05/20/2026

As the 2026 Northwest Folklife Festival explores the theme of Ubuntu — “I am because we are” — Humanities Washington and WACultures are honored to join a celebration of culture, conversation, and shared humanity.

Join us at the festival and experience living traditions at the WACultures Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program Showcase on May 22 at 4 pm at the Bagley Wright Theater at . Catch a Speaker's Bureau talk on topics ranging from creative writing, to women's undergarments, to the vanguard generation of African American artists at various venues from May 22-25. Don't forget to stop by WACultures' table at the Makers' Space to try your hand at Peruvian retablo-making, Japanese calligraphy, or both!

Check out https://www.humanities.org/story/catch-humanities-washington-and-wacultures-at-the-2026-northwest-folklife-festival/ to learn more.

Last but not least, have a look at this interview essay with former Humanities Washington Speaker's Bureau presenter Itohan Idumwonyi with her take on Ubuntu and how this African philosophy may be the antidote to a fractured world.

Read the interview:
https://www.humanities.org/spark/ubuntu-african-philosophy/

Learn more about the festival:
https://nwfolklife.org/

05/19/2026

Spotted on Vashon Island—Humanities Washington’s Speaker’s Bureau talk advertised on a local community bulletin board!

Thank you for partnering with us to bring our speakers to your community!

Interested in booking a Speaker’s Bureau presentation? Check out humanities.org

05/14/2026

Our trustees are impressive folks! Congratulations to recent honors earned by trustees Ryan Booth, Deepti Agrawal, and Mike Faulk.

In April, Ryan Booth, assistant professor in the Washington State University Dept. of History, received the 2026 Library Excellence Award for inspiring undergraduate students to explore the rich resources of WSU Libraries, including its archives and special collections. Through his mentorship and teaching, Ryan has helped spark the academic and professional journeys of many aspiring historians, researchers, and scholars. “WSU Libraries are the heart of our university,” Ryan said. “They pump the lifeblood of knowledge into our students, our research, and our community. It also helps that you are all some of the coolest, kindest, and most talented group of colleagues at this institution.” Read more: https://tinyurl.com/mwrzecb2

In March, Deepti Agrawal led a Madhubani art workshop at the "Celebrating India" event at Interlake High School in Bellevue, at the invitation of the Consulate General India Seattle. "When institutions choose to celebrate diversity not as an obligation, but as a value, they shape environments where every child feels seen, heard, and inspired," Deepti reflected. "Moments like these are both humbling and affirming, a reminder that the work we do, quietly and consistently, is part of something much larger." Read more: https://tinyurl.com/mrbw3z2t

In April, Mike Faulk was honored by Vital Speeches of the Day with the 2026 Cicero Speechwriting Award for Best State-of-the-Institution Speech for writing "Ever Forward, Evergreen," delivered by outgoing Washington Governor Jay Inslee in January 2025. The award is presented annually to recognize exceptional speechwriting in various sectors. "At a time when leaders in all sectors are increasingly failing to inspire in the public square, this work is as important now as it was 2,000 years ago when Cicero called rhetoric the 'great art,'” Mike said. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/ydpujmj4

Ryan Booth Deepti Designs - It's Trendy to be Traditional

05/13/2026

Office with a view? Don’t mind if we do. Humanities Washington staff had the privilege of spending time at Skagit County Historical Museum connecting, learning, and leaving genuinely inspired by the meaningful work happening there—all while enjoying breathtaking views of the Cascades!

Huge thanks to the museum’s executive director, Jo Wolfe, and the rest of her team for the warmest welcome!

Interested in learning more about the museum? Go to www.skagitcounty.net/museum or email [email protected]

05/13/2026

Office with a view? Don’t mind if we do. Humanities Washington staff had the privilege of spending time at Skagit County Historical Museum connecting, learning, and leaving genuinely inspired by the meaningful work happening there—all while enjoying breathtaking views of the Cascades. Huge thanks to the museum’s executive director, Jo Wolfe, and the rest of her team for the warmest welcome!

Interested in learning more about the museum? Go to www.skagitcounty.net/museum or email [email protected]

05/12/2026

Humanities Washington is excited to celebrate culture, creativity, and community alongside so many incredible artists and organizations at the Northest Folklife Festival, May 22-25 at Seattle Center!

However, volunteers are still needed to help make the festival possible—whether you're passionate about sustainability, community engagement, or event support, there’s a place for you! Northwest Folklife proudly offers positions for people of all abilities, with a wide range of roles designed to match different skills, interests, and accessibility needs.

Your involvement goes beyond the festival; it helps break down financial barriers and fosters inclusive, welcoming experiences for people of all backgrounds. Volunteering is also a great way to develop new skills, expand your network, and build meaningful experience for your resume.

Learn more & sign up today at https://nwfolklife.org/support/volunteer.html

Northwest Folklife Seattle Center WA Cultures