Humanities practitioners met challenges and embraced opportunities that resulted from the pandemic, political polarization, and calls for racial justice, while they grew increasingly concerned about sustaining the field.
Rather than relying on existing program models, we found many reimagining their work by letting their communities lead the way, putting people’s talents and experience first. This asset-based approach to applied humanities expanded engagement and created spaces of belonging during times of intense isolation and fear. With a new awareness of the importance of social connection fostered by humanities activity, practitioners embraced resilience and ingenuity during a time of uncertainty, playing a pivotal role in shaping a more equitable society with our well being, social justice, and healing at the center.
At the same time, in our focus groups, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) practitioners raised the need for “possibility models” for humanities careers. We also found a widespread lack of volunteers and an underdeveloped career pipeline among all practitioners.
We believe our relevance has increased. The work has changed, in that we are doing more of it outside our walls and through online platforms, resources or outreach efforts.”
Impact of 2020-2024
- Shifting programs online and outdoors is a continued opportunity to offer rich, intimate experiences
- Commitment to address a digital divide and redefine accessibility with online books, media, and more
- Lifting practitioners’ own well-being with better salaries, benefits, and conditions
- Rebuilding after a loss of long-time patrons, volunteers, and funders due to the pandemic
- Ongoing stress of adapting to shifting financial and human resources to stay afloat, meet the moment with intention, and grow.
Shifts in Practice
Social connection and humanities activity
Pennsylvania’s humanities practitioners noted the growing importance of their work during the pandemic and at a time of increasing political polarization. There was a strong need for people to come back together and their audiences craved inclusive and accessible opportunities to connect. They actively sought to address issues of mental health, trauma and addiction recovery while promoting well-being for youth with socio-emotional learning and building belonging. Through their engagement they saw the emerging link between economic development and community health.
I strongly believe that people, now more than ever, need to establish connections with each other and their communities.”
Connection to community
Humanities practitioners have long partnered with local educational institutions and community centers. The pandemic disrupted conventional modes of connection and interaction, creating a positive shift towards alternative approaches to collaboration and mutually beneficial partnerships. Virtual engagement emerged as a catalyst, stimulating a reassessment of community outreach. This broadened perspective on partnerships and a more people-centered approach, showcased the diversity of collaborative efforts and the multifaceted role networks play in the humanities ecosystem.

Top new Partnerships During the Pandemic
- Detention Centers/Prisons
- Farmer’s Markets/Community Gardens
- Homeless Shelters/Emergency Housing
- Hospitals/ Clinics/ Health Facilities
Searching for spaces of belonging
The dual circumstances of quarantine closures and heightened public attention to social injustice in 2020 led humanities practitioners to think deeply about spaces of belonging. These are critical for the humanities, allowing for connection, identity, critical inquiry, and trust-building. Neutrality, civility, and safety emerged as concerns in the context of political polarization. Practitioners questioned whether their institutions truly embody safe spaces for dialogue amidst political pressures, including censorship. Practitioners need safe outlets to work through these experiences and how to honor diverse perspectives while providing inclusivity and safety.
We have had very specific instances of challenges [to] LGBTQ materials … and it’s one of those really hard situations to deal with when you just want to provide free access to materials that represent people, no matter who they are…”
The Experiences of BIPOC Humanities Practitioners
The experiences of BIPOC humanities practitioners were explored in depth through two focus groups, both virtual and in-person. They shed light on opportunities for greater career support and the importance of valuing lived or practical experience, mentorship, and multiple pathways to professional success. BIPOC practitioners have significant experience in the humanities, a field that has traditionally favored educational attainment and professional degrees, although most learn on the job or in the community through practical experience. There is a need for greater mentorship and supportive networks, to ensure a diverse and thriving humanities community that represents the communities they serve and has a deeper understanding of those communities’ issues.

This work is important to me because I believe that people possess the power to transform their lives if given the proper tools…”
{ BIPOC PRACTITIONERS HAVE SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE IN THE HUMANITIES }
Possibility Model
“Possibility models” are people who serve as tangible examples and sources of inspiration for others. In the humanities, these models demonstrate the ability to thrive in a field where traditional entry points and guidance may be lacking. In the absence of needed systemic changes, BIPOC possibility models can serve as mentors and demonstrate how to break through existing barriers and traditional gatekeeping. Their experiences and visibility provide a sense of possibility and direction in pursuing similar careers. Community organizations, museums, and arts-activities are all potential anchors for these models and career inspiration, based on our findings.
I never thought I’d work in museums or cultural institutions because nobody told me it was a real job…I wanted to be a possibility model to other people who came into the game late.”
Identifying the Next Generation of Humanities Support and Leadership
There is a significant concern among practitioners about who will conduct and support the next generation of humanities activity. This underscores the pivotal role of financial resources, career development opportunities, and professional engagement. Two primary issues – a lack of volunteers and an underdeveloped career pipeline – were raised repeatedly in survey responses and focus group discussions. The older generation is worried about how humanities practice will be transmitted to the next generation. Being a “calling,” as practitioners described their humanities work in our research, has a downside. Lack of funding and, perhaps, societal respect for the profession make it harder to overcome the other challenges like heavy workloads and burnout that practitioners face.

Volunteers are getting harder to find
Humanities practitioners have voiced apprehensions regarding volunteer retention in the post-pandemic phase, particularly as organizations endeavor to rebuild their volunteer databases following a hiatus in in-person opportunities due to organizational closures. Volunteer board members and unpaid practitioners represent a prevalent labor group, second only to full-time practitioners. Additionally, practitioners have acknowledged the challenge of retaining younger volunteers. This trend is potentially attributed to a shifting economic landscape where people opt for financial contributions rather than active participation.
Most of us are in our seventies, and that’s becoming a real concern… I don’t see the 30, 40, even the 50-year-olds stepping up to help in volunteer organizations.”
Who’s Next? Challenges in the Humanities Career Pipeline
Younger humanities practitioners are facing challenges related to burnout, an undervalued field, and an underdeveloped career pipeline. This underscores the critical need for a nuanced examination of the working conditions and career support, particularly regarding their well-being, resilience, and career pathway development and opportunities.

So, in my own job, I have to do the entirety of the work with our teen population, in addition to working with our Makerspace, in addition to working with circulation and being a front-facing person in that department and doing grant writing. And it’s one of those jobs where I love what I do and I really enjoy it. But I am very tired, and I’m only 25, so I really shouldn’t be this tired already.”