Opening Minds Since 1975
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Kerri Young, Communications Manager, kyoung@calhum.org
October 29, 2024—(Oakland, CA)—California Humanities will kick-off its 50th anniversary celebrations starting in January 2025.
Founded in 1975, California Humanities is a partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) that promotes the humanities as a relevant, meaningful way to understand the human condition and connect us to each other. The independent, nonprofit organization produces, funds, creates, and supports humanities-based projects and programs and eye-opening cultural experiences and conversations, awarding over $44 million in grants across every Congressional district in the state.
During its anniversary year, California Humanities will:
- Implement a new strategic framework, currently in development, that will outline its values and commitment to focusing on pursuing a more equitable California in which everyone enjoys a sense of belonging;
- Host a celebration for the public, partners, and past and present leadership in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The San Francisco event, on February 28, will include participation by NEH Chair Shelly Lowe (Navajo), with a formal announcement and invitations made in the following months; and
- Unveil a new logo, designed by Oakland-based Carmela Wilkins, that updates the organization’s signature quotation mark to reflect how the humanities remain a dynamic force in the continual pursuit of learning.
“I am deeply honored to help California Humanities launch our 50th anniversary,” said California Humanities President and CEO Rick Noguchi. “This milestone is a time to reflect on the past and more importantly to look forward to how the humanities can continue to advance our understanding of who we are and who we want to be. Just as the NEH’s 1965 legislative act declared that “Democracy demands wisdom and vision in its citizens,” California Humanities has championed this ideal by supporting projects and programs that make the lives and culture of California’s people more visible and accessible.”
“California Humanities has made significant contributions to the state’s cultural landscape over the last half century and more than ever is essential to its future,” said Board Chair Rachel Hatch. “We’re in a moment in which California’s regions need to think systematically about the future today in order to ensure we’re making equitable and sustainable investments. The humanities have an important role to play statewide—now and going forward—in contextualizing the importance of these civic issues to our state’s diverse communities.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom commends California Humanities on its 50th anniversary.
“Congratulations to California Humanities on 50 years of dedicated work to connect Californians with one another, celebrate our shared heritage and diverse cultures, and inspire civic engagement. The humanities have an essential role in understanding our past and navigating the complexities of our time to shape the future. I look forward to their continued contributions towards our state’s vibrancy and strength.”
To learn more about California Humanities, visit calhum.org, or like and follow on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
