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
Sticky Subject: The History and Culture of Sugar
When King Henry VIII wanted three pounds of sugar for his guests at an important banquet, he had a tough time getting it. Now the average American eats that much sugar in a single week. Once a rare, exotic ingredient, sugar has become a dietary staple, leaving its sticky fingerprints all over the globe. Anthropologist […]
- When
- 6:30 pm, Tuesday
March 26, 2019 - Where
- Chelan Public Library
216 N. Emerson Street
Chelan, WA 98816 United States
Washington’s Undiscovered Feminists
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, remember some of the remarkable, but often unsung, women of the Pacific Northwest. Writer Mayumi Tsutakawa presents five “woman warriors” in the arts and journalism whose inspiring stories reach back to the early years of our region. Meet the pioneering photographer Imogen Cunningham, Black American jazz […]
- When
- 12:00 pm, Wednesday
March 27, 2019 - Where
- Yakima Valley Museum
2105 Tieton Drive
Yakima, WA 98902 United States
Sticky Subject: The History and Culture of Sugar
When King Henry VIII wanted three pounds of sugar for his guests at an important banquet, he had a tough time getting it. Now the average American eats that much sugar in a single week. Once a rare, exotic ingredient, sugar has become a dietary staple, leaving its sticky fingerprints all over the globe. Anthropologist […]
- When
- 6:00 pm, Wednesday
March 27, 2019 - Where
- Wenatchee Public Library
310 Douglas Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801 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, Wednesday
March 27, 2019 - Where
- Jefferson County Library
620 Cedar Ave
Port Hadlock, WA 98339 United States
Sticky Subject: The History and Culture of Sugar
When King Henry VIII wanted three pounds of sugar for his guests at an important banquet, he had a tough time getting it. Now the average American eats that much sugar in a single week. Once a rare, exotic ingredient, sugar has become a dietary staple, leaving its sticky fingerprints all over the globe. Anthropologist […]
- When
- 4:00 pm, Thursday
March 28, 2019 - Where
- Entiat Public Library
14138 Kinzel Street
Entiat, WA 98822 United States
Sticky Subject: The History and Culture of Sugar
When King Henry VIII wanted three pounds of sugar for his guests at an important banquet, he had a tough time getting it. Now the average American eats that much sugar in a single week. Once a rare, exotic ingredient, sugar has become a dietary staple, leaving its sticky fingerprints all over the globe. Anthropologist […]
- When
- 6:30 pm, Friday
March 29, 2019 - Where
- Brewster Public Library
108 S 3rd Street
Brewster, WA 98812 United States
Marijuana: Evil Weed or Medical Miracle?
Addictive, dangerous, criminal. Natural, healing, safe. Marijuana has been called all of these things and more – but how much do we really know about it? In 1990, only 16% of Americans thought marijuana should be legalized; today, a majority of Americans believe it ought to be. What are the historical and cultural precedents that […]
- When
- 3:00 pm, Saturday
March 30, 2019 - Where
- Newport Way Library
14250 SE Newport Way
Bellevue, WA 98006 United States
Sticky Subject: The History and Culture of Sugar
When King Henry VIII wanted three pounds of sugar for his guests at an important banquet, he had a tough time getting it. Now the average American eats that much sugar in a single week. Once a rare, exotic ingredient, sugar has become a dietary staple, leaving its sticky fingerprints all over the globe. Anthropologist […]
- When
- 3:30 pm, Saturday
March 30, 2019 - Where
- Moses Lake Museum and Art Center
401 S. Balsam Street
Moses Lake, WA 98837 United States