Become a Speaker

Speaker applications are closed for the 2025 catalog. We will provide information for the 2026 catalog in the winter of 2025.

The Delaware Humanities Speakers program sends scholars, authors, and experts to community groups, organizations, businesses, and K-12 classrooms throughout the state. 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 elementary and secondary schools. 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 1^st and ends on October 31^st of the following year. 

Humanities Themes

For the 2025 catalog (November 1, 2024-October 31, 2025), Delaware Humanities is looking for presentations that… 

…represent the cultures, histories, and stories of diverse peoples. Presentations on Black 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 literature, cultural studies, and environmental humanities 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.)

Applying

If interested, please email info@dehumanities.org with 2-3 sentences about your presentation.  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. Applications are due Sunday, April 28.  

Dates and Deadlines

Application Due	April 28, 2024
Auditions	June 2024
Applicants Notified	July 2024
Agreements Sent	August 2024
Signed Agreements and Fee Due	September 2024