Humanities Washington

08/27/2026

Today we are remembering Dolly Parton, one of our great American storytellers, whose generosity reached far beyond the stage.

Dolly had a rare gift: she could connect with people across every background and belief because she always led with empathy first. That same spirit shaped her Imagination Library, which she often said was among the achievements she was most proud of. Through the program, more than 200 million free books have reached children across the country, helping spark a lifelong love of reading in kids who might not otherwise have had one.

At Humanities Washington, we believe stories are how we come to understand each other and the world around us, a belief Dolly lived out one book at a time. Because of her vision, more than 40,000 children right here in Washington state have a book mailed to their home each month, free of charge, until their 5th birthday.

Thank you for being a humanities champion, Dolly. Rest in peace.

08/20/2026

Last Thursday at Black & Tan Hall in Seattle, more than 50 people came out to hear Zje Mongol play and talk about Mongolian folk music. Their demonstration included traditional songs, original compositions, and throat singing. The morin khuur (Mongolian horse head fiddle), we learned, has two strings that were originally made with horsehair. Their tuning represents a mare and a stallion.

Look closely at these photos to see some of the ways the youths personalized their instruments to reflect their interests (hint: 2026 is the year of the fire horse).

Our sincere thanks to Makaela Kroin of Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission Folk and Traditional Arts Program for moderating a great conversation with Juul, Anu-Ujin, Temuulen, and Temuujin. They spoke about their family’s relationship to this music, its geographic and historical significance, and the various influences on their original compositions, among other things.

A big thank-you to everyone who joined us, to our partners in the By the People initiative, and to everyone who helped spread the word. And thank you to Zje Mongol and their family for sharing their music and traditions with us.

Federation of State Humanities Councils Smithsonian Folklife

08/19/2026

Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau presenter Lawrence B.A. Hatter recently brought a unique perspective to an audience in Ferndale, sharing stories and insights about the American Revolution and its meaning today.

Thanks to the Lynden Tribune/Ferndale Record for highlighting this Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau program! Read the story:

Library hosts presentation in conjunction with U.S. 250th celebration

08/14/2026

Tonight in Seattle! This may be your last chance for a while to hear Zje Mongol – the incredible trio of Seattle siblings keeping Mongolian musical traditions alive. Eldest sibling Anu-Ujin heads off to college next week!

Hear Anu-Ujin, Temuulen, and Temuujin perform on traditional Mongolian instruments, including the morin khuur, yochin, tovshuur, and limbe, along with the powerful sounds of khöömii (Mongolian throat singing).

Head over to Black & Tan Hall this evening, Thursday, August 13 at 7pm for this free event, a live demonstration, and a chance to meet the young artists and ask questions.

RSVP: https://www.humanities.org/event/in-person-underrepresented-traditions-in-wa-mongolian-folk-music/

WA Cultures Black & Tan Hall Washington State Arts Commission

08/13/2026

Congratulations to Melody Sky Weaver on being appointed Washington’s new State Librarian! We’re especially excited to welcome a longtime Humanities Washington partner to this new role. We’ve loved working with Melody and the Port Townsend Public Library through our Speakers Bureau, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the years ahead. Congratulations, Melody! Read the announcement: https://tinyurl.com/bdd3e5n5

Washington State Library

08/12/2026

Zje Mongol is three Seattle siblings keeping Mongolian musical traditions alive – and this Thursday may be one of your last chances to hear them perform together for a while!

Anu-Ujin, the eldest, is heading to college next week. She’s also the youngest Master Artist ever to participate in Humanities Washington’s Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program.

Along with her siblings Temuulen and Temuujin, she’ll perform on traditional Mongolian instruments such as the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), yochin (Mongolian dulcimer), tovshuur (two-stringed lute), and limbe (Mongolian side flute), along with the deep resonance of khöömii (Mongolian throat singing).

Come hear them play, learn more about these traditions, and stick around for a chance to ask the young artists your questions!

Join us this Thursday, August 13, at Black & Tan Hall in Seattle.

RSVP for this free public event at https://www.humanities.org/event/in-person-underrepresented-traditions-in-wa-mongolian-folk-music/

Zje - Зээ WA Cultures Washington State Arts Commission

08/08/2026

We’re thrilled to celebrate Washington State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield, one of 22 state poet laureates nationwide selected to receive The Academy of American Poets Fellowship.

Through this prestigious fellowship, Derek will expand his “Words, Woods, and Wellness” project, bringing young people across Washington together with poetry and the natural world to create space for reflection, creativity, connection, and belonging.

Humanities Washington is proud to partner with the Washington State Arts Commission on the Washington State Poet Laureate program. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EB7rnV8BA/

Meet the 2026 Academy of American Poets Poet Laureate Fellows!

We are proud to announce the twenty-two poets laureate serving cities, counties, states, and Tribal communities across the United States who will receive $50,000 to create an ambitious public poetry project rooted in their community.

Their work will bring poetry into classrooms, parks, libraries, jails, festivals, sidewalks, watersheds, and neighborhoods through workshops, anthologies, public art, performances, archives, and more.

The Academy will also provide $81,000 in matching grants to fourteen local nonprofit organizations collaborating with Fellows on their projects.

Meet the 2026 Fellows and discover the work they will bring to life: https://bit.ly/3RK2p5Y

The Poet Laureate Fellowships are made possible with support from the Mellon Foundation.

08/05/2026

Fresh from Humanities Washington! Our August enews is here, featuring upcoming events, updates, and stories celebrating the people and traditions that make Washington special.

Read it here: https://tinyurl.com/August26enews

WA Cultures Washington State Arts Commission Washington State Poet Laureate The Rhapsody Project Washington State History Museum The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture