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.​

Our programs include Leadership Anchorage, Story Works, Cross-Cultural Competence (C3) and FORUM Storytelling Fellows. We also award grants for public projects that connect Alaskans through dialogue and shared experiences.

Our Mission:

The Alaska Humanities Forum connects Alaskans through stories, ideas, and experiences that inspire understanding and strengthen communities.

Our Vision:

Our vision is a culturally diverse, economically vibrant, and equitable Alaska where people are engaged, informed, and connected.

Core Beliefs:

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.