Humanities Iowa

📷 Sioux City, IA 📷 April 22–23 📷 All events are free and open to the public This initiative is supported in part by Humanities Iowa. Learn more at violinsofhopeiowa.com.

Violins of Hope, a series of programs featuring restored violins and stories from the Holocaust, will be held in Sioux City as part of Tolerance Week from April 22-23.

From a special student program for nearly 2,000 8th graders to an evening concert with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra — and a chamber performance set within the Holocaust Rails Exhibit — these events invite audiences to experience history through music, memory, and reflection.

📷 Hawkeye Community College will host its seventh annual Liberal Arts Mini-Con, an interdisciplinary celebration of student research, creative work, and service learning. We’re so excited to support these engaging humanities programs!

Meet our next two Mini Grant recipients! 📷 The Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation will present a free public program exploring Iowa’s influence on early professional baseball and the Civil War’s role in spreading the game.

By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night at Stanton Public Library for What Do We Stand For? with Scott Samuelson. We’re so grateful to be part of such thoughtful conversations and to see community members come together to reflect on the ideas that shape our world.

Be part of this afternoon of reflection about the impact of teachers and other mentors on the Garner community. "A Legacy of Service and Strength: Community Reflections in Garner" is supported in part by a Humanities Iowa Mini Grant. #CultureCommunityConnections #MiniGrants

Calling all teachers, coaches, mentors, and youth leaders in Garner, Iowa! Join the Garner Chamber of Commerce - IA for the session "A Legacy of Service and Strength: Guidance & Growth" next month. 📍GHV Middle School Gym, Garner ⏰April 21 | 3:45 p.m.

By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.

By the People programming is going strong! 📣 Thank you to our incredible speakers and our program partners at CultureALL for helping make these Open Book events, part of By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, such a success so far.

Josie's term as ISPA will officially begin when she's inaugurated on April 24 at the Iowa State Capitol during National Poetry Month. Please join us in congratulating Josie on this outstanding achievement!

Big congratulations to the newest Iowa Student Poet Ambassador! Josie Nabhan-Warren, a junior at West High School in Iowa City, has been named the 2026–27 Iowa Student Poet Ambassador (ISPA) — the highest honor awarded to a young writer in our state.

Chosen from an incredibly talented pool of high school poets across Iowa, Josie believes that “poetry is a tool of empathy,” and her work reflects a deep commitment to connection and understanding.

The music, narration, and community spirit at Eppley Auditorium made for a truly unforgettable evening. Thank you to the performers, organizers, and every attendee who helped honor her legacy.

Thank you, Sioux City! We’re so grateful to everyone who joined the Sioux City NAACP on Tuesday for “Coretta Scott King: Her Life and Songs," a moving tribute to Coretta Scott King — civil rights leader, accomplished soprano, and wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Her presentations combine live performance with historical and cultural context, inviting audiences to consider how music functions as shared cultural memory. Learn more about booking Dr. Beard and her programs: #find_a_speaker" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">humanitiesiowa.org/speakers/#find… #HumanitiesIowa #SpeakersBureau

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Christine Erlander Beard to our Speakers Bureau! An internationally acclaimed flutist, educator, and scholar, Dr. Beard brings lecture-recitals that explore the intersections of music, history, culture, and social inquiry.

A Professor of Flute at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and founder of the #flutistactivist initiative, her programs examine music by banned and censored composers, the role of music during the Holocaust, and myth and legend told through flute repertoire.

His presentations explore the evolving role of local media, the importance of civil dialogue, youth sports from a children-first perspective, and his journey of perseverance amid medical challenges. Learn more about booking Randy at #find_a_speaker" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">humanitiesiowa.org/speakers/#find…

We’re excited to welcome Randy Cauthron to the Humanities Iowa Speakers Bureau! A longtime newspaper editor and Master Editor-Publisher recognized by the Iowa Newspaper Association, Randy brings decades of experience in journalism, community service, and storytelling.