The Virgin Islands Humanities Council (VIHC) is a private, nonprofit organization affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), a federal agency. This agency, established by Congress in 1965, supports research, education, and the promotion of public projects in the humanities.

Governed by a thirteen-member volunteer board representing the islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, the Humanities Council makes public and private funds available to support programs in the humanities for the benefit of the diverse population of the Virgin Islands.  VIHC operates a competitive community grants program and council-initiated and conducted programs, including a Humanities Resource Center for educators and for educational purposes; the annual Daniel L. Heftel Lecture in the Humanities; and a Publications Program focusing on the works central to an understanding of Virgin Islands history and cultural heritage.

The work of the Council is based on the belief that the humanities are essential to the enrichment of life and provide the means to broaden people's understanding and judgment, regardless of their educational background or social standing.

Programs funded by the Virgin Islands Humanities Council have provided the people of the Virgin Islands with new ways of looking at themselves and the world, strengthening our sense of place, of personal identity, and civic responsibility. The Council strives to nurture a commitment to humanities learning among all Virgin Islanders. This is accomplished by working in partnership with humanities scholars and cultural, educational, and community organizations. Each year, the council also holds public meetings on all three islands to inform people about our work and invite their comments and suggestions.

What are the Humanities?
The humanities explore what it means to be human, through history, literature, folklife studies, cultural anthropology, archaeology, philosophy, ethics, comparative religion, law, and the history and criticism of the arts.

Council History
The Virgin Islands Humanities Council is a latecomer among state humanities councils. As part of the national effort to make public humanities programs available to citizens who might otherwise not have easy access to them, the first humanities councils were established in 1971. In 1981 the NEH invited a group of Virgin Islands citizens to submit a planning proposal for the establishment of a public humanities program for the Virgin Islands. A one-year planning grant was awarded in October 1982. During the following year, the group reviewed the territory's resources, consulted with humanities scholars and developed a full funding proposal for the Council program.
The Humanities Council became operational in May 1984, and has since functioned under successive two-year program grants. Initially, the Council concentrated its work on developing the community grants program, which involves a competitive regranting of funds to community organizations and cultural institutions for public humanities projects. However, the council has expanded its services as it now offers a number of additional services. As a result of this effort, the Virgin Islands Humanities Council received special commendation from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The 1985-87 and 1987-89 grant cycles were characterized by continuous outreach and technical assistance to project applicants, attracting an increasing number of regrantees. Today, the Humanities Council is recognized throughout the Virgin Islands as one of the most valuable outlets for promotion of things cultural.

Goals and Objectives (2001-2002)
Expand audiences and promote understanding of the humanities through a public relations campaign, council-conducted and initiated projects, and through a competitive regrant program;
Foster improvement of the quality of humanities education in public, private, and parochial schools with emphasis on culturally relevant materials and approaches;
Encourage the development of source materials which will enrich the base of information relating to Virgin Islands cultural history;
Help strengthen a sense of community by encouraging projects which highlight the cultural contributions of the diverse population groups of the Virgin Islands, and by providing a forum for the discussion of public policy issues;
Strengthen the organizational structure of the VIHC;
Engage in efforts of institutional collaboration; and
Broaden the financial base of the VIHC by actively soliciting private support.

Council Mission
The Virgin Islands Humanities Council seeks to provide opportunities for the diverse population of the Virgin Islands to participate in humanities programs which promote a love of learning, encourage dialogue, enhance understanding, and broaden people's judgment.
The VIHC accomplishes its mission by fostering an awareness of shared commitment to public humanities, through working in partnership with humanities scholars, cultural and civic institutions, and organizations in the territory.

Frequently Asked Questions About Board Membership

Board Member Vacancies on St. Croix