Mission & History

If You Like Reading Mission Statements, Here's Ours

The Maryland Humanities Council stimulates and promotes informed dialogue and civic engagement on issues critical to Marylanders.

We’ve Come a Long Way, and We’re Not Finished Yet
The Maryland Humanities Council (MHC) formed in 1973 at the invitation of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Initially known as the Maryland Committee for the Humanities and Public Policy, MHC incorporated in 1977 and acted almost exclusively as a grant-making organization for 20 years.

Beginning in the early 1990s, MHC began to conduct its own public humanities programs, while still awarding grants to support the programming efforts of Maryland institutions and organizations. In 2002, cuts in state funding prompted MHC to reach out to the community for foundation, corporation, and individual support.

A successful capital campaign allowed MHC to relocate its headquarters to Mount Vernon Cultural District in 2005, where the high-profile location provides enhanced visibility for MHC's programming in the vibrant cultural center of Baltimore.

In 2006, MHC revised its mission statement to reflect its commitment to working with communities, groups, and audiences throughout the state to stimulate and promote informed dialogue and civic engagement on issues critical to Marylanders.