I am incredibly honored to return to Humanities Montana as Interim Executive Director. I’ve stepped into this role with years of experience as Humanities Montana’s Programs Director, where I led Montana Conversations, Speakers in the Schools, the Montana Center for the Book, and co-directed The Democracy Project.
I want to acknowledge that leadership transitions often bring change and uncertainty. I am deeply grateful to Jill Baker for her steady leadership and unwavering commitment to the humanities. I had the privilege of working alongside Jill, and her guidance helped stabilize the organization and position Humanities Montana for a strong and vibrant future. I also want to thank the Board of Directors and Program Development Director Jenny Bevill for their steadfast dedication throughout this transition.
For those who don’t know me, my own path to the humanities began in the arts, from founding art galleries and curating exhibitions to working with museums and nonprofits. During my previous tenure at Humanities Montana, I focused on expanding programs in rural communities, meeting people where they are, and building lasting trust. I often traveled across the state; from Browning to Wibaux and Winnett to Pryor, partnering with libraries, museums, tribal communities, and small towns. One of my proudest moments was seeing The Democracy Project earn national recognition in 2024 at the National Humanities Conference.
As I return to Humanities Montana in my new role as Interim Executive Director, my focus will be on stability and continuity. In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be listening, learning, and working diligently to strengthen core programs, especially in rural and Indigenous communities. The Montana Poet Laureate program, in collaboration with the Montana Arts Council, remains a vital part of our literary and cultural outreach to communities across the state. The Democracy Project is well positioned for continued growth, inspiring young Montanans to participate in civic life and shape the future of their communities. Likewise, the Montana Center for the Book remains a vital anchor for literature and literacy efforts, connecting readers, writers, and institutions statewide. With renewed support, we’ll expand our history and civics programming while building new virtual offerings and partnerships statewide.
I also step into this work with a clear understanding of the moment we’re in. The loss of the NEH general operating support grant has been devastating, but thanks to the dedication of our staff, board leadership, partners and donors, Humanities Montana remains strong.
Looking ahead, my vision as Interim Executive Director is guided by three priorities:
- Championing Montana writers and historians: using storytelling to connect Montanans to our cultural traditions and civics.
- Deepening our sense of place: anchoring The Democracy Project, Montana Center for the Book, and our civics and history initiatives in communities across the state.
- Diversifying and innovating our revenue streams: ensuring a strong, independent future for Humanities Montana.
These priorities will guide Humanities Montana towards the future. As Montana’s statewide humanities council, we’re not defined by what we’ve lost but by how we adapt and lead. This is more than a moment of survival, it’s an opportunity to reimagine what we can be: rooted in place, connected to people, and driven by our mission.
Humanities Montana continues to offer programs across the state, and in the months ahead we’ll focus on amplifying the impact of this work and the efforts of our humanities partners. Our mission has always been to serve all Montanans through public humanities and cultural programming. The strength of this organization lies in its mission and the dedication of its people, partners and supporters, and I have every confidence we will continue to do remarkable work together.
I look forward to working alongside all of you as we shape this next chapter together.
With gratitude,
John Knight
Interim Executive Director
Humanities Montana
