The mission of Humanities Nebraska is to help Nebraskans explore what connects us and makes us human. Our vision is that Nebraskans possess the knowledge, understanding, and empathy to cultivate a more informed, thoughtful, and just society. Our guiding principles include: We believe that culture and connection are essential rights of human expression. We value conversation that respects difference and finds points of common experience. We provide inclusive opportunities to learn from the past to enrich our future. We expose people to other worlds of expression and human existence. We celebrate shared histories and diverse cultures. We develop engaging experiences for all Nebraskans. We are flexible and responsive to the changing and pressing needs of Nebraskans. We foster lives of purpose and meaning. Humanities Nebraska was established as a state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities in 1973. Over nearly fifty years, Humanities Nebraska programming has evolved and expanded to include Grants, a Speakers Bureau, Chautauqua, Capitol Forum on America's Future, Prime Time Family Reading, Nebraska Warrior Writers, the Governor's Lecture in the Humanities, Museum On Main Street Smithsonian exhibitions, and community conversations. Humanities Nebraska is a registered trade name for the Nebraska Humanities Council. The Nebraska Foundation for the Humanities works with the Council to secure private funding and advocate for public funding at the state and federal levels to support these programs. A third organization, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, serves as the endowment for both Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency.