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.
To host a Conversation, select a topic by browsing the descriptions and short text, contact the scholar-facilitator to set up a date and time, then apply for funding through the Council. Any not-for-profit organization or high school in New York State is eligible to use the program. If your application is successful, the Council covers the cost of the scholar-facilitator's honorarium and travel expenses.
For detailed information about the Conversations Bureau, please consult our list of Common Questions.
How to apply to host a Conversation
Confirm your eligibility
Conversations are available to tax-exempt organizations and high schools in New York State.
Read more >
Select a Conversation
Browse our list of Conversations to find the right topic for your community.
Find a Conversation >
Contact the scholar-faciltator to arrange a date and time
Once you have chosen a Conversation, contact the scholar-facilitator to discuss the text and topic in further detail, and to set a date and a time.
Scholar-facilitator directory >
Apply to the Council for funds
Once you have completed steps 1 through 3, apply to the Council for funding.
How to Apply >
Plan, promote, and host your Conversation
Start planning for and publicizing your Conversation as soon as you receive notice of Council funding approval. Know your responsibilities as a program coordinator.
View tips and materials
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Submit Follow-Up Evaluation
Within three (3) weeks of the event, submit the online evaluation to evaluate the success of the Conversation, and send in the participant evaluations.
Program Coordinator Evaluation >
The Conversations Bureau is funded by the We the People initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Are you a Conversations Bureau scholar-facilitator? Explore the Scholar-facilitator Admin page for resources, evaluations, and other helpful documents.
Become a humanities supporter! Your generous contribution to the New York Council for the Humanities will help benefit over one million New Yorkers eager to engage with ideas that shape who we are and how we live.