We're looking for new speakers, new programs, new ways of delivering the humanities to all Montanans! If you have expertise in one or more disciplines of the humanities, like to travel and interact with people, and want to help Montanans think deeply and broadly, then apply to be a Montana Conversations leader by March 20, 2012.

The Humanities Montana Speakers Bureau offers high quality humanities programs to community groups and organizations—museums, libraries, colleges and universities, civic and professional organizations, churches, and other groups—at a very low cost. Local sponsors arrange for a presentation with any of the speakers listed in our catalog, Humanities Montana pays the speaker's honorarium and travel expenses. Programs are offered in a number of categories, including native peoples' histories; Montana and western history; U.S. and world history; public affairs; literature; the arts; communications; and other humanities fields. Look here for examples of successful Speakers Bureau programs.

Humanities Montana Speakers in the Schools is a new program designed to bring more humanities content into Montana high schools. Speakers in the Schools programs can appeal to large school assemblies or small classroom discussions. Topics should be relevant to either the high school curricula or to community and world concerns. Look here for examples of successful Speakers in the Schools programs.

FORMATS

We encourage creative and interactive formats such as:

• A moderated conversation in which the presenter gives a brief (15-minute) overview of a topic and then leads a group discussion
• A two-person program where opposing or complementary sides of an issue are presented
• Workshops that include humanities discussion and are not purely technical or craft-related
• Living history presentations (first-person portrayals of historic or fictional figures, based on research)
• Presentations that use video or other media
• Traditional 30-45 minute presentation with questions

COMPENSATION

A base honorarium of $150 per presentation, plus travel and per diem, is made available to all Humanities Montana speakers (for a two-person program each speaker is paid $100). For car travel exceeding 400 and 800 miles round trip, respectively, an additional $50 or $100 is awarded. For travel over 800 miles, at least two engagements are required.

Speakers are considered independent contractors and receive no other compensation, nor benefits from Humanities Montana.

HOW TO APPLY

Montanans who have expertise in the humanities can apply here to have their program considered. The online application includes detailed questions about your proposed program as well as your relevant experience and interest in public humanities. You are strongly encouraged to include a link to any video samples of your presentations. Finalists will be interviewed by Humanities Montana staff. The application deadline is March 20, 2012.

Accepted programs will be available beginning July 1, 2012. Programs remain active for up to four years. While Humanities Montana provides an online and in print promotional catalog and other materials, the most frequently booked programs are those for which presenters do their own marketing as well. Humanities Montana will hold a voluntary marketing workshop for presenters this summer.

Proposals will be judged on humanities content of the proposed program, audience appeal, public speaking ability, and relevant humanities expertise of the presenter.

GO TO ONLINE APPLICATION

deadline: March 20, 2012