What is the Culture Series?
Join expert guest curators from every corner of the city as they create one-of-a-kind events exploring DC stories, traditions and cultures with the goal of sparking conversations. The Culture Series is a free roaming monthly gathering that takes place at social hubs around the city and investigates topics like little-known bicycle racing in alleyways, LGBTQIA+ oral histories, and the tales of the African American Washingtonians who helped build the Smithsonian’s more remarkable exhibits. Come experience the public humanities in person as we delve into our city’s past, question our present and imagine the future.
Upcoming 2025 CULTURE SERIES LINEUP
May – Sex Work in Civil War Washington and Beyond
Washington, DC saw an unprecedented rise in sex work during the Civil War due to the thousands of Union soldiers who flooded into the city for training. Brothels provided income, shelter, and independence for women who, in some cases, had few other places to turn. They built businesses and turned access to politicians into influence. Join HumanitiesDC and guest curator Katie Kirkpatrick in this Culture Series, which will explore historical brothel sites during and after the Civil War. The event will bring together visual representations, experts on Civil War Washington, sex-work historians, and members of today’s sex-work community to discuss how the oldest profession was practiced when it was legal, compared to today’s ongoing struggle to recognize sex work as real work.
June – Vital Signs: DC and the Poetry of AIDS
Join HumanitiesDC and guest curators Kim Roberts and Regie Cabico for Culture Series: Vital Signs: DC and the Poetry of AIDS, a powerful exploration of three groundbreaking poets: Essex Hemphill, Tim Dlugos, and Reinaldo Arenas—each of whom shaped the city’s literary landscape before their lives were cut short by AIDS. This evening of remembrance features a panel discussion with those who knew them best or were deeply influenced by their work. As we face new challenges in public health, social justice, and cultural memory, this event asks the bold question: what can DC residents learn from their legacy to help ignite our resistance to the challenges of our own time?
To learn more and register for these events visit our Events Calendar.
BECOME A GUEST CURATOR
Do you have an idea of how to bring untold DC stories to life? Have you conducted research on a humanities topic or been working on a project that you would love the opportunity to present to the public? The Culture Series is looking for guest curators to help us co-create our next gatherings. We are looking for topics with strong connections to a humanities discipline, that are thoughtful, engaging and incorporate unique forms of presentation. Chosen curators receive compensation for their participation. For more information, reach out to our Public Programs team at programs@humanitiesdc.org or complete the submission form below.
Proposal Submission Form:
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