IHC seeks board members

The Idaho Humanities Council, the statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting greater public awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the humanities in Idaho, is seeking applications from three regions of the state to fill two public positions and two academic positions on its volunteer board of directors.

Among the available seats is a public position for North Idaho, which is defined as the area from Riggins to the Canadian border. A public member may be from any profession but should have a strong belief that the humanities are essential to a civil society, contribute to lifelong learning, and enhance quality of life.

In addition to fair regional representation and gender balance, the council encourages ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity.

The IHC awards grant funds to organizations and individuals throughout the state to support public programs in history, literature, philosophy, cultural anthropology, law, and other humanities disciplines. The IHC also supports a number of its own council-conducted programs, such as regional Distinguished Humanities Lectures, weeklong summer institutes in the humanities for Idaho K-12 teachers, a Humanities Speakers Bureau, statewide tours of Smithsonian traveling exhibits, and other programs and activities. IHC receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and donations from foundations, corporations and individuals.

Board members serve three-year terms, with the possibility of renewal for a second three-year term. The board meets three times each year in February, June, and October to award grants and conduct other business. The IHC covers all travel expenses for board members to attend meetings.

Information about the Council and applications for board membership are available online at www.idahohumanities.org, under “About Us.” The deadline for applications is September 15, 2016. The board will review applications and elect the new members at the Council’s October meeting.