It’s a simple and complex question at the same time. 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!). The public humanities take these subjects out of the classroom and recasts them as essential tools that help us understand ourselves and others. By creating opportunities that go beyond formal education environments, the critical thinking and reflection that often accompanies the public humanities is accessible to a wide and diverse audiences.

Typically, the public humanities are associated with four foundational areas:

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 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.

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.

Beliefs are those core assumptions which underpin our worldviews and ultimately shape our actions. Beliefs are informed by our experiences, but need not be limited by them. The humanities are a source of differing viewpoints, taking us beyond our individual circumstances and allowing us to see situations and ideas from another’s perspective.

Public humanities 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, often through access to cultural institution programs and events, to make history relevant and encourage diverse audiences to reflect on the shared human experience.