Since 1972, NJCH has partnered with statewide and community organizations to bring meaningful public humanities programming to the local level. Together, we explore what makes us human and celebrate the lives, places, and histories that knit us together as New Jerseyans.
As a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, NJCH is the liaison between the federal government and local humanities organizations. In this role, we are responsible for ensuring both that federal humanities support makes a meaningful impact for the people of New Jersey and that New Jerseyans' interests are represented at the state and federal levels.
We support the New Jersey humanities community in three primary ways:
- by awarding grants and sponsorships
- by providing direct programs and services, and
- by convening individuals and organizations that care about cultural and civic life in the Garden State.
Our Mission
We explore, cultivate, and champion the public humanities in order to strengthen New Jersey’s diverse community.
What are the humanities?
We don’t often think of the humanities as our best hope for building a better future, but that’s exactly what they are!
They allow us to break free from the limitations of our individual experience and to see both the perspectives of others as well as the larger social forces that affect us all. They provide opportunities to make history relevant and encourage diverse audiences to reflect on the shared human experience.
We often encounter the humanities as part of our formal education. They include familiar disciplines such as history, literature, and philosophy, as well as those less common (jurisprudence, we’re thinking of you!). But it's the public humanities which take these subjects out of the classroom to ensure that the critical thinking and reflection that accompanies the humanities is accessible to wide and diverse audiences.
The public humanities programing offered by cultural institutions like NJCH are typically associated with four foundational areas:
Our work is guided by the following foundational values:
- We open doors to opportunities for discovering, listening, challenging assumptions, and fostering understanding.
- We appreciate all voices within the context of civil, informed, and respectful exchange.
- We invest our resources and attention responsively, responsibly, and honestly.
- We facilitate shared ownership in the creation of knowledge, ideas, and practice.
History
Learning about those who came before us nurtures our identities as individuals and members of a community. Through history we also see the consequences of decisions and learn how to evaluate outcomes, providing us with tools to build a better future.
Values
Values are ideals we deem important. Examples of values include concepts such as equity, discipline, open-mindedness, independence, loyalty, and respect. Since they govern the way we live our lives and the decisions we make, it is important to consider and clarify our values.
Cultures
The products of culture take many forms from fine art and classic novels to streaming television shows, rock music, comic books, and romance novels. We study them for the sheer joy they bring. But cultural products can also shed light on unstated assumptions and allow us to see ourselves and our society more clearly.
History
Learning about those who came before us nurtures our identities as individuals and members of a community. Through history we also see the consequences of decisions and learn how to evaluate outcomes, providing us with tools to build a better future.
Our People
We're proud to count among our people:
- a small but mighty team of staff members
- a dedicated, unpaid board of trustees comprising leaders from the education, cultural, governmental, nonprofit, and business sectors
- numerous program presenters with substantial lived experience and expertise in the humanities
- countless individuals who have participated in our events and programming.
Humanities People
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NJCH Board Member Lynne Toye, the inaugural Executive Director of the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund, brings a bevy of experience and passion for cultural expression to the organization. Meet Lynne » |
