To promote understanding and appreciation of the people, communities, culture, and stories of importance to Iowa and the nation. Humanities Iowa emphasizes the participation of humanities scholars to foster dialogue, critical thinking, and analysis in public settings. It acknowledges that scholarly and learning contributions can come from both advanced academic degrees and diverse cultural traditions.
The grant seeks to support projects that involve humanities scholars in public capacities, such as lectures, discussions, conferences, exhibitions, and education programs. A key goal is to enhance the quality of humanities offerings within organizations, encouraging critical engagement from the community. Mini Grants specifically cater to organizations needing up to $3,000, with applications reviewed upon receipt, favoring submissions at least four weeks prior to the project start date.