Become a Speaker
Become a Speaker
Speaker applications are OPEN. Please see the instructions for applying and timeline for our 2027 catalog, below.
Our Speakers give public talks and classroom presentations on history, culture, literature, ethics, nature, 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 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.
Speakers pay an annual $100 administrative fee to participate. All approved Speakers sign an agreement with Delaware Humanities. The catalog year begins on November 1 and ends on October 31 of the following year.
Humanities Themes
For our FY2027 catalog, we are looking for presentations that…
- …broaden the scope of humanities content we offer. Our current Speakers catalog is heavy on history. We love learning about history, but we’re looking to add more presentations from fields such as literature, language, civics, ethics, music studies, art studies, and nature to our offerings. (Please see our “What are the Humanities?” page for more about humanities fields, and check out our catalog to see what topics are currently covered.)
- …are interactive in nature and inspire audience conversation. If you have a program that’s beyond the “talk + Q&A” format, it might be a good fit.
- …appeal to young learners. Presentations that are appropriate for K-12 classrooms are always welcome.
Applying
First, if you are interested in applying for our 2027 catalog, please email info@dehumanities.org with:
- 2-3 sentences about your presentation,
- two main takeaways the audience is supposed to learn,
- a brief description of your professional and speaking experience,
- and a mini works cited with 2-3 sources you used in your research.
This preliminary application is due Friday, May 15. 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, June 1.
We have 10 new program slots available for next year’s catalog. Programs will be selected based on their presentation and how well they round out our current catalog.
Dates and Deadlines
| Application Window Opens | April 1, 2026 |
| Preliminary Application Due | May 15, 2026 |
| Formal Application Due | June 1, 2026 |
| Applicants Invited to Audition | June 2026 |
| Auditions | July-August 2026 |
| Applicants Notified of Acceptance into Program | September 2026 |
| Agreements Sent | September 2026 |
| Signed Agreements and Fee Due | September 2026 |
| FY2027 Catalog Published | October 2026 |
| New Programs Begin at Host Sites | November 1, 2026 |