1980 The Stanford Humanities Center founded
The early goals of the Stanford Humanities Center remain central to its mission today: by focusing on interdisciplinary questions, the Center aims to redefine the nature and function of the humanities.
In 1982-83 the Humanities Center welcomed its first thirteen fellows. Since then it has become the largest university-based center in the United States. It offers approximately twenty-five fellowships every year, supports fifteen to twenty year-long research workshops, and hosts four to six high-profile international visitors – from political theorists to arts practitioners. In addition, the Center stages numerous public events for broad, local audiences, and supports several digital humanities initiatives. Over the past thirty years, it has become a nexus for humanities research by faculty and students on campus.
Here is a sampling of Notable Arts Events:
1992
Joseph Brodsky Residency
(Nobel Prize for Literature in 1987 and 5th Poet Laureate of the US)
Public poetry reading
Public lecture
Two seminars for faculty and students
John Cage Residency
(American composer, music theorist, writer, artist)
Exhibition of his prints
Public lecture
Two panel discussions
A “Musicircus” at the Music Department
Two evening performances of his music
2001
Zulu Dancers Residency
Umzansi Dance Company of Johannesburg, South Africa
(This visit marked the company’s first U.S. appearance)
A series of lecture-demonstrations and workshops for students and the public on the Ngoma dance form, a style of Zulu dancing
2008
Robert Wilson Residency
(Theater Director and Visual Artist)
Master Class for students
Public Lecture