The mission of the Arkansas Humanities Council is to promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities in Arkansas. The council emphasizes the importance of humanities in reflecting diverse heritage, traditions, and history, alongside the relevance of humanities in current national conditions.
The Arkansas Humanities Council grants support projects that bring the humanities to life for the people of Arkansas. These projects aim to connect individuals to their past, to each other, and to the various aspects of humanities that we share across the state. Specific causes supported include innovative humanities-based projects that highlight Arkansas's prehistory, history, and culture, particularly those with the potential to interest audiences both within and beyond the academic community. The Council emphasizes collaborative research projects among nonprofits, humanities scholars, and third-party institutions, like colleges or universities, ensuring the research outcomes are accessible and beneficial to a broad audience.