mission statement

Our mission is to build a just and civil society by creating opportunities for the public to explore our shared human experiences through discussion, learning and reflection. People can attend educational programs and participate in community conversations to learn about culture, history, current events, and the importance of civic engagement to democracy. We provide grants to libraries, schools, museums and community organizations to foster literacy, civic engagement and appreciation for our nation's rich history and cultural diversity. These programs are free and accessible and explore the human experience through history, literature, ethics, philosophy, languages, archaeology and more.