Humanities Texas aims to advance education and strengthen Texas communities through programs that improve classroom teaching, support libraries and museums, and foster lifelong learning opportunities. It strives to cultivate knowledge and judgment essential for a representative democracy, contributing to the state's economy, culture, and civic life. Established in 1973 as an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, it's a nonprofit supported by federal and state funds, as well as private donations, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources.
The Humanities Texas Grants Program partners with the National Endowment for the Humanities to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations and institutions for public humanities programs. The humanities encompass history, literature, languages, ethics, and the arts, among others. The program supports projects that apply humanities perspectives to political, social, or economic issues. Mini-grants are available for costs associated with public humanities programs, like speaker fees or exhibition rentals, and are suited for projects using digital technologies to connect people or those reaching individuals without digital access. A successful application often involves the participation of a humanities scholar with relevant training or experience, and competitive projects typically include insights from a wide and diverse range of scholars.