Program Overview
You don’t need to be a student or live near a college to hear an intriguing talk from a scholar or expert. In communities throughout Washington State, Speakers Bureau presenters give free public presentations on history, politics, music, philosophy, spiritual traditions, and everything in between.
Our roster of 34 Speakers Bureau presenters is made up of professors, artists, activists, historians, performers, journalists, and others—all chosen not only for their expertise, but also for their ability to inspire discussion with people of all ages and backgrounds. Hundreds of Speakers Bureau events take place each year. Each talk lasts about an hour.
To reach as many Washingtonians as possible, we partner with a wide range of organizations, including libraries, schools, museums, historical societies, retirement homes, community centers, and civic organizations. These organizations host and publicize the events.
Find a Speakers Bureau event near you. We also encourage nonprofit organizations to host a speaker.
Speakers Bureau is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the State of Washington via the Office of the Secretary of State, and the Thomas S. Foley Institute of Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University, and generous contributions from other businesses, foundations, and individuals.
Upcoming Events
Civil Conversation in an Angry Age
At what point does a conversation become a battle? Why do some opinions inflame our emotions, leading to anger, fights, and even the end of relationships with family and friends? Philosopher David E. Smith takes a deep look at those moments when civility breaks down. By mapping the structure of how we converse, and digging […]
- When
- 5:00 pm, Saturday
September 21, 2019 - Where
- Darrington Library
1005 Cascade Street
Darrington, WA 98241 United States
Four-Color Reality: How Comic Books and the Real World Shape Each Other
Since their debut in the 1930s, comic books have been a regular part of our pop-culture landscape. While often dismissed as escapist entertainment, these pulp treasures also provide a fascinating lens through which to view our nation’s past, present and potential future. In this interactive presentation, journalist and educator T. Andrew Wahl explores how everything […]
- When
- 7:00 pm, Saturday
September 21, 2019 - Where
- Scarecrow Video
5030 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105 United States
Modern Slavery: Understanding Human Trafficking in the 21st Century
We often think of slavery as a historic phenomenon, but thousands of people are trafficked into the US each year. And in the 21st century, new technologies have enabled more opportunities for the exploitation of people for labor, moving these crimes further into the shadows. In this illuminating talk, Robert Beiser, the executive director of […]
- When
- 7:30 pm, Saturday
September 21, 2019 - Where
- Lummi Island Library
2144 South Nugent Rd
Lummi Island, WA 98226 United States
Always On: How to Turn Up the Volume on Everyday Communication
Is there such a thing as an “authentic self?” Though the phrase looks great on an inspirational poster, we are constantly in flux. You may act differently as a friend or a romantic partner, as a worker or a boss, or as a student or a teacher. We are all performing every day, and these […]
- When
- 4:00 pm, Monday
September 23, 2019 - Where
- Wenatchee Public Library
30 S. Wenatchee Avenue
Wenatchee, WA 98801 United States
Should I Still Watch This Show? Pop Culture in the #MeToo Era
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, in which dozens of high-profile individuals in the entertainment industry have been accused of harassment or abuse, many of us are asking: “Should I still be watching this?” Explore the cultural and economic issues inherent in consuming entertainment made by people whose behaviors we find questionable, distasteful, or […]
- When
- 6:00 pm, Monday
September 23, 2019 - Where
- Ritzville Public Library
302 West Main Avenue
Ritzville, WA 99169 United States
Should I Still Watch This Show? Pop Culture in the #MeToo Era
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, in which dozens of high-profile individuals in the entertainment industry have been accused of harassment or abuse, many of us are asking: “Should I still be watching this?” Explore the cultural and economic issues inherent in consuming entertainment made by people whose behaviors we find questionable, distasteful, or […]
- When
- 6:30 pm, Tuesday
September 24, 2019 - Where
- Moses Lake Public Library
418 E 5th Avenue
Moses Lake, WA 98837 United States
From Mexican to Mexican-American: A Family Immigration Story
As immigration has become more hotly debated in the United States, the arguments have become cartoonish, with one side often painted as naïve and another as xenophobic. What has become lost is the human story of immigration to America, with all its complexity, heartache, and hope. Professor Carlos Gil sought to understand immigration by tracing […]
- When
- 6:30 pm, Tuesday
September 24, 2019 - Where
- Mount Vernon City Library
315 Snoqualmie St
Mount Vernon, WA 98273 United States
Should I Still Watch This Show? Pop Culture in the #MeToo Era
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, in which dozens of high-profile individuals in the entertainment industry have been accused of harassment or abuse, many of us are asking: “Should I still be watching this?” Explore the cultural and economic issues inherent in consuming entertainment made by people whose behaviors we find questionable, distasteful, or […]
- When
- 6:30 pm, Wednesday
September 25, 2019 - Where
- Wenatchee Public Library
30 S. Wenatchee Ave
Wenatchee, WA 98801 United States