Exploring the Humanities in American Life

The American Academy’s Humanities Indicators project has published its latest findings about the public’s engagement with the humanities. This report reveals that the humanities are a powerful tool for generating empathy and connection, raising important questions about their potential to bridge divides. How can we leverage existing engagement like television to connect to a broader range of disciplines and activities? Are there paths to making the humanities more inclusive? Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns joined in conversation with Brenda Thomson (Arizona Humanities) and Kevin Young (Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture) to discuss what the publication’s findings mean for ongoing and future outreach to the public.

The event included opening remarks from Academy President David Oxtoby and Jon Parrish Peede, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities.