Humanities & Arts Action Day

WSU Humanities & Arts Action Day 
David Adamany Undergraduate Library
Friday, November 13, 2026, 9 AM to 5 PM

Proposal Submission Deadline September 25

The humanities crisis on campus—and increasingly the public sphere—has never been so dire, even though people everywhere are doing the humanities every day. While academic humanities programs have been embattled for several decades now due to falling enrollments and decreases in spending on humanities education, a reduction in government-sponsored support for the arts and humanities now threatens museums and libraries, where non-academic institutions offer accessible, relevant humanities programming to Americans from all walks of life. Meanwhile, on Main Street, ordinary people are practicing the humanities as they debate the human condition, respond to artwork and culture, and ponder human history. Our historical moment requires us to build a stronger bridge between institutional humanities sectors and everyday Americans, who practice the humanities in their own ways big and small.

The everyday humanities are for everyone and practiced by us all.

Wayne State University is pleased to announce that it will hold a second annual Humanities & Arts Action Day on Friday, November 13, 2026, organized by the WSU Humanities Center, the WSU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the WSU College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts, the WSU Library System, the Irvin D. Reid Honors College, the Wayne State University Press, and the WSU Humanities Commons. We invite local and regional humanities practitioners to join us in a day of networking, advocacy, and strategic planning intended to lift the profile of the humanities in Detroit and Southeastern Michigan.

Keynote Speakers: 
Stephen Kidd 
Executive Director, National Humanities Alliance

Sam White
Founding Artistic and Executive Director, Shakespeare in Detroit

Activities will include:

🗣️ Soapbox Talks and Flash Teaching Sessions: Short, passionate talks on why the humanities matter now and how they matter in college and beyond.

🧠 Interactive Breakout Sessions: Discuss advocacy, collaboration and creative public engagement through Teach-Ins and Huddle Sessions

🏛️ Humanities Fair: Learn about local organizations that do culture work every day in Metro Detroit, as well as resources for these organizations.

💌 Advocacy Stations: Write your legislators, share your story and make your voice heard.

🥪 Networking Lunch and refreshment breaks are included.

To propose an activity for Humanities & Arts Action Day, please fill out a proposal form here. Submissions due Friday, September 25.

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN EARLY OCTOBER. Registration is free (lunch included) and open to everyone who believes in the power of the humanities. Whether student, educator, artist, librarian, or community member, Wayne State invites you to join the movement.

If you have questions, please contact Humanities Center Assistant Director Victoria Stewart at victorias@wayne.edu.

This activity is supported in part by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.