How to Become a Speaker
Each year, Humanities Washington invites applications for new presenters for Inquiring Mind: A Forum in the Humanities. We define the humanities as the stories, ideas, writings and images that help us make sense of our lives and enhance our capability think creatively and critically about our world. Our current roster of speakers is available through June 31, 2008.
Who are eligible speakers?
Speakers must be Washington residents and scholars or experts on the topics they wish to present. Speakers must be genuinely interested in addressing public audiences, have experience in speaking outside a formal classroom, and be willing to travel throughout the state. Speaker terms begin July 1, 2008 and end June 31, 2009. Speakers may be invited to renew for a second year.
Though Humanities Washington asks that speakers commit to at least 10 presentations during each program year, speakers may choose which bookings to accept based on scheduling conflicts or other restrictions (please be sure to state restrictions in the speaker application). If you are interested in finding out more about the booking process, see Booking a Speaker.
What are the benefits of being an IM speaker?
Our speakers have a variety of motivations that make the Inquiring Mind program a good fit for their talents and interests. Some are fulfilled by the opportunity to reach audiences in Washington that do not have abundant opportunities to see and hear high-quality humanities speakers. Other speakers participate in Inquiring Mind to build name recognition and enhance their speaking careers. What we like all of our speakers to have in common is an interest in sharing their knowledge in an open and accessible way with diverse communities throughout Washington.
