Programs
New York Council for the Humanities offers free discussion groups around the state for both adults and children.
Conversations Bureau
The Conversations Bureau promotes thoughtful, engaged community dialogue, using a short text and a scholar-facilitator as a guide. Conversations are 90-minute discussions on a range of humanities topics related to American identity.
More about Conversations Bureau >
Meaning of Service for AmeriCorps Members
Meaning of Service is the Council's reading and
discussion series for AmeriCorps members, available free of
charge to any New York State AmeriCorps program. Sessions feature
facilitated conversations about short philosophical and literary
texts on the themes of associating, serving, giving and leading.
More about Meaning of Service >
Community Conversations 
Community Conversations brings together members of a group, organization or neighborhood to join in a facilitated discussion of a short reading. Throughout the year, the Council provides materials for community groups to
discuss current events together.
More about Community Conversations >
Reading Between the Lines
Reading Between the Lines (RBTL) is the Council's book discussion
program for adults who want to explore humanities topics in depth.
Each series involves four conversations centered on thematically linked
books and is facilitated by a humanities scholar. Reading Between the Lines is hosted by museums, historical societies, libraries and community centers statewide. Sites that have successfully hosted RBTL are eligible to apply for our Reading and Discussion (R&D) Grants.
More about Reading Between the Lines >
More about Reading and Discussion Grants >
Together—Book Talk for Kids and Parents 
Together—Book Talk for Kids and Parents brings
together parents and their 9- to 11-year old children in a library setting
to explore and debate important issues about American identity and life,
using the shared context of books.
More about Together >


