About Alaska Humanities Forum
The Alaska Humanities Forum is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that designs and facilitates experiences to bridge distance and difference – programming that shares and preserves the stories of people and places across our vast state, and explores what it means to be Alaskan.
Founded in 1972, the Forum represents and serves Alaska as one of 56 state and territorial councils supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and as a member of the Federation of State Humanities Councils.
The Alaska Humanities Forum connects Alaskans through stories, ideas, and experiences that inspire understanding and strengthen communities.
Our vision is a culturally diverse, economically vibrant, and equitable Alaska where people are engaged, informed, and connected.
Community. We believe that people connected around a shared purpose and sense of belonging have the power to change the world. We believe communities have the knowledge and wisdom to address the challenges they face.
Truth. We seek truth, strive to see the root causes, and are honest about the history of Alaska and how it shapes where we are today. We lean into difficult conversations and actively work to build trust and dismantle systems of oppression.
Hope. We believe that change is possible. We have unrelenting hope for the future of Alaska and its people. We use powerful questions to challenge us, connect us, and move us forward.
Creativity. We believe that difference and diversity are vital to fostering new ideas. We believe that creativity and new perspectives are core to building community and connecting people.
The Alaska Humanities Forum is dedicated to serving all Alaskans, embracing our many diverse identities, cultures, abilities, and worldviews. We recognize the profound impact of colonization on our communities, and commit ourselves to creating diverse and inclusive spaces and ensuring equitable treatment for everyone.
Our commitment includes:
Workplace: We strive to be a supportive place to work, especially for those who have been historically disenfranchised, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and the disability community.
Programs: We aim for every participant to leave our programs feeling seen, heard, valued, and motivated to continue building a stronger community. We design our programs to be diverse and inclusive, helping Alaskans navigate difficult conversations and fostering a sense of belonging.
Resources: We work to ensure that our financial and programming resources are allocated in an intentional and equitable manner. We serve all Alaskans while uplifting the stories and addressing the needs of those who are often underrepresented.
These statements are living documents that will be used to guide our work and reviewed annually by the Board of Directors.
Click the image above to learn more about what we did in 2024!
If you have any questions, please contact VP of Programs Polly Carr at pcarr [at] akhf [dot] org.
Click the image above to learn more about our goals for 2025!
Learn more about the Alaska Humanities Forum — sign up to receive Forum magazine, and alerts about programs and events.
The Alaska Humanities Forum is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that designs and facilitates experiences to bridge distance and difference – programming that shares and preserves the stories of people and places across our vast state, and explores what it means to be Alaskan.
November 25, 2024 • Tara Devlin
November 13, 2024 • Shoshi Bieler
November 6, 2024 • Cheryl Snyder