The Public Square at the Illinois Humanities Council

The Public Square at the IHC fosters debate, dialogue, and exchange of ideas about cultural, social and political issues with an emphasis on social justice. Our programs promote participatory democracy by creating space for public conversations. Knowledge is power, yet much crucial knowledge still circulates only in small, isolated communities. We build bridges between theory and practice in order to empower individuals to use ideas as tools to improve their lives.

Why Public Square?

The Public Square at the IHC creates a site for an exchange of ideas and the collaborative pursuit and creation of knowledge. The Public Square at the IHC is a space for intellectual community and public engagement. We see our organization as a forum for ideas that might not otherwise gain an audience through commercial media.