Become a Speaker
Become a Speaker
Speaker applications are OPEN for the 2026 catalog.
Our Speakers give public talks and classroom presentations on history, culture, literature, ethics, the environment, and everything in between, enriching the lives of Delawareans by providing free opportunities for learning right in their own communities. Our Speakers program allows individuals with expert knowledge in a wide range of humanities-centered fields to showcase their skills by providing interesting and informative presentations.
You do NOT need to have a degree in the humanities to become a Speaker. However, Speakers must be able to demonstrate their humanities experience/background in the field in which they want to present. Approved Speakers currently receive an honorarium of $300 for each presentation.
Speakers presentations take two forms: Speakers Bureau Presentations and Visiting Scholars Presentations. Speakers Bureau presentations are for public audiences. Visiting Scholars presentations are for K-12 classrooms. If you wish to present only for the public and not for schools, or vice versa, you will be able to indicate your choice on the application form.
Procedures
Delaware Humanities has formal procedures for arranging Speakers Bureau and Visiting Scholars presentations, including advance reservation forms and a one-month reservation deadline to which both requesting groups and presenters must adhere. Speakers must also be available to present throughout the year and therefore cannot be seasonal residents of the area.
New Speakers do not pay a fee to become a Speaker. After the first year, Speakers pay an annual $100 administrative fee to participate. All approved Speakers sign an agreement with DH and the catalog year begins on November 1st and ends on October 31st of the following year.
Humanities Themes
For the 2026 catalog (November 1, 2025-October 31, 2026), Delaware Humanities is looking for presentations that…
- …represent the cultures, histories, and stories of diverse peoples. Presentations on Black and AAPI history that are appropriate for K-12 classrooms are especially welcome.
- …broaden the scope of humanities content we offer. Our current Speakers catalogue is heavy on history. We love learning about history, but we’re looking to add more presentations from fields such as health & wellness, environment, literature & language, ethics & philosophy, and civics to our offerings. (Please see our “What are the Humanities?” page for more about humanities fields, and check out our catalogue to see what topics are currently covered.)
- …broaden our understanding of Delaware during the American Revolution in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. We are particularly interested in previously untold stories and underrepresented populations.
Applying
If interested, please email info@dehumanities.org with 2-3 sentences about your presentation, two main takeaways of what the audience is supposed to learn, a brief description of your speaking experience, and a mini works cited with 2-3 sources you used in your research. This preliminary application is due by April 7. If we feel your presentation is potentially a good fit for our Speakers catalog, we will send you a formal application. All applications must be submitted via email. We highly encourage Speakers to apply who can present in multiple languages. Formal applications are due Monday, April 28.
We have 10 new program slots available for next year’s catalogue. Programs will be selected based on their presentation and how well they round out our current catalogue.
Dates and Deadlines
| Application Opens | February 18, 2025 |
| Preliminary Application Due | April 7, 2025 |
| Formal Application Due | April 28, 2025 |
| Auditions | June-July 2025 |
| Applicants Notified | Early August 2025 |
| Agreements Sent | August 2025 |
| Signed Agreements and Fee Due | September 2025 |
| FY26 Catalogue Published | October 2025 |
| New programs go into the Community | Nov 1, 2025 |