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Happy New Year
from Nevada Humanities

As we ring in 2025 at the Nevada Humanities offices in Reno and Las Vegas, we are gearing up for an exciting year ahead with humanities programs by, about, and for Nevadans. These include literary programs across the state, humanities-focused nature walks in Nevada's majestic outdoor places, exhibitions and discussions about creativity and sense of place, meaningful games and Loreloop play, special initiatives, and much more.  

We look forward to sparking dialogue and creating spaces for reflection and discovery across the Silver State. Together, let’s explore the history, culture, and creativity that shape Nevada and continue to build a thoughtful and engaged future for us all.

Thank you for your support, curiosity, and passion for the humanities. We can’t wait to see where 2025 takes us — and we’re thrilled to walk this journey with you.

Wishing you and yours a joyful and inspired New Year!

Christina Barr's Signature
Christina Barr
Executive Director
Artwork by Shan Michael Evans.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons with Asya Webster

Tuesday, January 21, 2025
6:00–8:00 pm
Online at the Nevada Humanities Twitch Channel 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, third spaces (spaces outside the home and workplace) helped us stay grounded, connected, and creative. One game in particular, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, has been noted for its role in providing a third space and sense of community for people during lockdown where they could digitally meet up, visit museums, tend their gardens, and more. Learn more about the role of third spaces and the humanities at this upcoming Humanities at Play livestream with Asya Webster, Program Officer for Grants and Public Programs at the Arkansas Humanities Council. During this livestream, we will visit two Animal Crossing islands created by Webster and discuss the value of creativity and games for connecting during the pandemic, public humanities programming and grant-making in Arkansas, and more.
Rekindle your LEGO® building days during this livestream as Nevada Humanities’ Kathleen Kuo builds a custom set designed by John Balash, Director of Educational Engagement at Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center. Discover the importance of playful learning and how LEGO® fosters confidence, communication, belonging, and more during this collaborative session — audience members are invited to build along online.
Photograph courtesy of John Balash.

The Power of Stories: Remembering Japanese American Incarceration

Thursday, February 13, 2025
6:00–8:00 pm
Nevada Museum of Art
160 West Liberty Street, Reno

In recognition of the 83rd anniversary of Japanese American incarceration during World War II, join Nevada Humanities and the Japanese American Citizens League for an evening of conversation about remembrance and the power of stories in the Japanese American community. The evening begins with a presentation of audio excerpts from “The Magpie of Heart Mountain” — a 2021 episode from the podcast This Is Love featuring the story of Shigeru Yabu. Yabu was nine when he was incarcerated at Heart Mountain, where he befriended a wild baby magpie whom he named Maggie. The program concludes with a discussion with members of the Japanese American Citizens League moderated by Meredith Oda, associate professor of history at University of Nevada, Reno.
Photograph courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.
Register

Wild Western Wordsmiths: A Workshop for Emerging Writers

Sunday, February 23, 2025
12:00–4:00 pm
The Holland Project
140 Vesta Street, Reno

Join us for a free creative writing workshop and write-in for aspiring writers ages 18–26 at The Holland Project with hosts Griffin Peralta, Reena Spansail, and City of Reno Poet Laureate Jesse James Ziegler. Get to know members of Reno's literary community, build new connections with fellow writers and poets, and contribute your work to a digital zine. Lunch will be provided. This is a free event. Space is limited and advanced registration is required.
Register

Birthed from the soil: A Photo Affair by Iyana Esters

On display through January 22, 2025
Nevada Humanities Program Gallery
1017 S. First Street, #190, Las Vegas

Nevada Humanities presents the exhibition Birthed from the soil: A Photo Affair by Iyana Esters, a multidimensional portrait of Yawah Awolowo, known as Mama Yawah, an organic farmer, natural food chef, and midwife from Cuba, Alabama. This exhibition highlights the functionality of Mama Yawah’s life, demonstrating the beauty of ancestral knowledge of caring and working with the earth for generations, while living and tending to the community. This multimedia exhibition is by Iyana Esters and is curated by Stephanie Gibson, director, John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art, University of Nevada, Reno. This program is supported in part by the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and the state of Nevada.
Photograph courtesy of Iyana Esters.

Nevada, P.S. I Love You Postcard Project: Love Notes from Across the Silver State

On display through March 7, 2025
Reception and Hands-On Postcard Project
Tuesday, February 11, 5:00–7:00 pm
City of Reno, City Hall
Metro Gallery First Floor
1 E. 1st Street, Reno

Nevada Humanities and the Reno City Hall's Metro Gallery present Nevada, P.S. I Love You Postcard Project: Love Notes from Across the Silver State. The exhibition is on display at the Reno City Hall’s Metro Gallery. View an array of postcards made by people of all ages from across the state sharing their art and what they love about Nevada. Please visit Reno City Hall’s Metro Gallery website for directions and additional information.

Nevada, P.S. I Love You Postcard Project is an ongoing program of Nevada Humanities created to connect Nevadans, in urban and rural communities across the state, sharing the things that postcard creators love about Nevada. The exhibition is also available online at the Nevada Humanities website.
Image courtesy of Bobbie Ann Howell.

The Hidden Faces of Work: Behind Las Vegas’ Non-Stop Economy

On display through February 22, 2025
Winchester Dondero Cultural Center
Winchester Wall Gallery
3130 S. McLeod Drive, Las Vegas 

Nevada Humanities presents The Hidden Faces of Work: Behind Las Vegas’ Non-Stop Economy, an exhibition featuring the photography, reflections, media, and creative work of students at the UNLV Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies. This exhibition is curated by Julian Kilker, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Emerging Technologies, at the UNLV Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies. The exhibition is also available online at the Nevada Humanities website.
Photograph courtesy of Marium Lachica.

Coming Soon – Desert Oasis: Passage of Time and Places

February 6, 2025 – March 25, 2025
Nevada Humanities Program Gallery
1017 S. 1st Street, Unit 190, Las Vegas

Step into Desert Oasis: Passage of Time and Places, an exhibition that merges the dynamic energy of urban life with the timeless beauty of the desert. Artist Valentin Yordanov documents his perception of the changing world, where cities like Las Vegas and natural wonders converge into one organic whole. His passion for travel, architecture, and design informs every aspect of his art. 

Yordanov’s work explores themes of urbanization, globalization, and environmental transformation. His paintings act as visual travelogues—vivid impressions of the locations he visits or envisions. 
Artwork courtesy of Valentin Yordanov.
Nevada Humanities-Supported Programs Across the State
Please check directly with our partner and grantee organizations for updated event information.
Photograph courtesy of Emily Najera.

Missed a recent program or event?
Watch past events on our YouTube channel.

Nevada Humanities Grant Opportunities 

FY2025 Mini-Grants
Application Deadline: Rolling; application must be submitted at least 10 weeks before the project's first public event. Application portal closes on July 30, 2025.

FY2025 Planning Grants
Application Deadline: Rolling; application must be submitted at least 10 weeks before the first planning meeting. Application portal closes on July 30, 2025

Connect with Nevada Humanities at nevadahumanities.org and through social media.
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Nevada Humanities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the great State of Nevada, by Nevadans for Nevadans, providing essential cultural and educational services across the state.
Copyright © 2025 Nevada Humanities, All rights reserved.

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