South Carolina Humanities

inspiring. engaging. enriching.

The humanities are how we understand ourselves and our world and how we communicate that understanding to others. South Carolina Humanities is one of 54 state and jurisdictional humanities councils that receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities. SC Humanities funds, promotes, counsels, and coordinates all manner of thoughtful (and thought-provoking) endeavors—exhibits, documentaries, discussion forums, research, planning, workshops, dramatizations, lectures, and on and on—that pertain to the humanities.

Get Involved

We are a small organization, but we accomplish big things with our partners throughout South Carolina.

We help to build communities and move South Carolina forward as a state. SC Humanities reaches many rural areas, increasing the cultural capacity of local institutions and providing local economic impact.

Won’t you join us in this endeavor?

Apply
for a Grant

There are several categories of grants available to nonprofits, including major grants, mini & planning grants, and fast-track literary grants.

Request
a Speaker

Request one of South Carolina’s finest scholars to share their knowledge and to spark discussions about human values, traditions, and cultures.

Explore Resources

SC Humanities has supported a variety of projects that include digital content for all ages. Check them out!

Donate
Today

Your support matters. Commit to a monthly gift or support a program that you are passionate about.

Attend
an Event

Attend an exhibition or lecture, sign-up for a workshop, and more.

Celebrate the Humanities

The annual Governor's Awards in the Humanities Luncheon celebrates excellence in the humanities.

Featured News

SC Humanities Announces Two New Gubernatorial Board Members

SC Humanities Announces Two New Gubernatorial Board Members

South Carolina Humanities is pleased to welcome two new gubernatorial board members Brendon Barber of Georgetown and Tom Gottshall of…
SC Humanities Awards $128,000 in Grants

SC Humanities Awards $128,000 in Grants

The South Carolina Humanities Board of Directors awarded more than $128,000 in grants to 11 cultural organizations after a February 23, 2024…
SC Humanities Announces New Themed Grant Opportunity

SC Humanities Announces New Themed Grant Opportunity

South Carolina Humanities has launched a new statewide Request for Proposals (RFP) titled “Innovation and the Humanities: Shining a Cultural…
SC Humanities Launches New "Accessibility and Inclusion Grants"

SC Humanities Launches New "Accessibility and Inclusion Grants"

SC Humanities is pleased to announce the launch of a new category of grant available to nonprofit organizations and public…
SC Humanities Welcomes Four New Board Members

SC Humanities Welcomes Four New Board Members

SC Humanities is pleased to announce the FY2024 Board of Directors who will begin their terms on November 1, 2023: Bill…
2023 South Carolina Humanities Festival in Orangeburg County

2023 South Carolina Humanities Festival in Orangeburg County

The 28th Annual SC Humanities Festival will take place in Orangeburg County on October 19 – 22, 2023. The 2023 festival…

News Stories

Word on the Street

At this time few things are more important than the exploration, discussion and reflection encouraged and facilitated by South Carolina Humanities – the state’s primary vehicle for advancing shared cultural experiences and consideration of ideas. South Carolina Humanities energizes communities, libraries, schools, museums and higher education institutions reaching across the state to help make us all more understanding and, yes, more humane.
Sig Huitt
Former Board Member
Through the 2016 SC Humanities Festival in Beaufort, people and groups gently stepped out from their silos and worked together to make our hometown an even better place… Historical and cultural organizations and artists of all kinds, from north and south of the Broad River, came together to present the SC Humanities Festival in Beaufort County. The theme was: ‘Inspire, Engage, and Enrich.’ We all came together seamlessly to give something very special!
Billy Keyserling
Mayor of Beaufort
Fiscal Year 2020

By the Numbers

$ 1 K
Grant Money Awarded
1
grants awarded
1
counties reached