In over 40 venues throughout Chicago, the Chicago Humanities Festival presents entertaining and smart programming about ideas that matter. But we do more than that. We shape ideas, helping our audiences see the world anew. We help them challenge the boundaries of contemporary knowledge and culture. We help them understand what it means to be human.

Our Mission

The Chicago Humanities Festival connects people to the ideas that shape and define us, and promotes the lifelong exploration of what it means to be human. CHF fosters curiosity, celebrates creativity, explores the boundaries of contemporary knowledge and culture, and challenges us to see ourselves and the world anew.

Our Vision

The Chicago Humanities Festival envisions a city and society in which its members engage in thoughtful dialogue, explore a diversity of ideas, and come together to find positive solutions.

Our Values

Quality // We present the finest minds of our time and produce exceptional experiences.

Thoughtfulness // We enlighten and entertain with smart programs that provoke personal and collective reflection and action.

Diversity // We believe that pursuing a diversity of thought, experience, and audience is essential to strengthening our community.

Accessibility // We strive to eliminate barriers to participation related to age, income, and physical ability.