Illinois Humanities

One night. Five unforgettable performances.

Join us on October 28 for The Pursuit, a special one-time edition of A People's Salon featuring Lisa Beasley, INSÉKTA, Mark Turcotte, Ariel Zetina, and avery r. young.

From powerful spoken word and poetry to music and storytelling, this is a rare chance to experience these artists sharing the same stage for a single evening at Ramova Theatre.

Registration is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Reserve your spot today at ilhumanities.org/pursuit

The Public Humanities Awards are about honoring the work happening in towns, neighborhoods, and communities across Illinois.

To our neighborhood sponsors, thank you for helping create a space where those efforts could be recognized and celebrated. We’re grateful for your partnership and your commitment to the people who make Illinois such a vibrant place to live.

Missed the event? Stay tuned for videos and images from the night!

It takes a lot of people to make a night like this possible, and our city and town sponsors are a big part of that story. Thank you for believing in the power of community, conversation, and connection, and for helping us recognize the individuals and organizations making Illinois stronger every day.

Learn more at ilhumanities.org/pha.

To our city sponsors: thank you for being part of this celebration. Your support helps us honor the thinkers, storytellers, educators, and community leaders whose work inspires meaningful connections across Illinois.

Learn more at ilhumanities.org/pha.



The Joyce Foundation SIU Medicine MSU Federal Credit Union The Chicago Community Trust Illinois Municipal League Polk Bros. Foundation

We’re grateful to our county sponsors for standing alongside us as we celebrate the 2026 Public Humanities Awards. Your commitment helps recognize and elevate the people and organizations creating lasting impact in communities across Illinois.

Learn more at ilhumanities.org/pha



University of Illinois Chicago Mayer Brown

Thank you to the sponsors helping power the 2026 Public Humanities Awards and support meaningful humanities work across Illinois. Your partnership strengthens communities, sparks connection, and expands access statewide.

Learn more at ilhumanities.org/pha



The Revel Group Northwestern University University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign University of Illinois Chicago University of Illinois Springfield

☕ Because a pumpkin spice latte pairs well with a good conversation.

A new lineup of Illinois Humanities events is here. Explore conversations, community gatherings, and programs happening across the state this month.

Find your next event: ilhumanities.org/events



Evanston History Center Kankakee County Museum Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts Mahomet Public Library Streator Public Library International Museum of Surgical Science Glen Carbon Library Elgin Public Museum Harold S Jones Fine Arts Center

For nearly a decade, Jasmin Cardenas Creates and WorkersTEATRO have created space for working people to gather, tell their stories, and support one another through theater, storytelling, and collective care.

Now, as a Road Scholars Speaker, she's bringing that work to communities across Illinois.

Read our latest Speaker Spotlight and learn how the humanities can move people from empathy and curiosity to action: ilhumanities.org/news/spotlight-jasmin-cardenas

What memories will we leave behind? What stories will future generations hear?

In her latest letter, Illinois Humanities Executive Director Gabrielle H. Lyon reflects on the stories, conversations, and histories shaping our state through Illinois Voices 250 and a new radio series exploring Illinois' role in the American story.

Read more at the link below and learn how you can help create a living archive of stories from across Illinois through Illinois Voices 250.

ilhumanities.org/news/for-your-listening-pleasure

Join us on Saturday, September 26, 1:00 p.m., at the International Museum of Surgical Science (1524 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago) for an upcoming program.

Come and join us for Michael Workman's lecture "Writing as Cultural Archaeology and the Poetics of Place" on Saturday, September 26 at 1:00pm. This program is put on with as part of the Road Scholars Speaker Presentations and is free to attend! RSVP at the link in our bio.