Civic and Electoral Participation

The “Why It Matters” national initiative will provide free humanities programs conducted by the US state and territorial humanities councils to engage the public in collaborative, accessible, and thought-provoking dialogues on the importance of electoral and civic participation. Programs will explore the history of civic and electoral engagement, highlight and elevate youth perspectives, and bring people together to talk, share, learn, and listen using the humanities to promote understanding through historical context and conversation. Humanities scholarship, journalism, and community dialogue will be central to public programming.  IHC will offer four town halls and an online publication that explores these important issues.