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Become a Speaker

Join Our Speakers Bureau
 
We are currently accepting applications for our Speakers Bureau. 

Members of our Speakers Bureau are scholars with either a master's or Ph.D. in the humanities or published authors in a humanities discipline. Published authors may speak on their book or the theme of their book.

Groups using our Speakers Bureau include historical societies, libraries, K-12 teachers, civic clubs, art and literary clubs, trade associations and professional societies, museums, leadership organizations, churches, and other community groups across the state. They usually provide excellent and interested audiences ranging in size from 25 to 50, but occasionally more than 100 people attend.

A typical Speakers Bureau talk is approximately 30-45 minutes, followed by time for audience questions and answers. Kentucky Humanities generally avoids "how to" talks and programs that are limited to (rather than including) artistic performances, such as concerts or storytelling. We do, however, include published authors who give readings from their works and answer audience questions.

If you are selected as member of our 2024-2025 Speakers Bureau, the booking process will work as follows: A representative of the sponsoring group will first call/write you—not Kentucky Humanities— to determine if you are available for a particular date, time, and place. You are under no obligation to accept every request. You also decide how far you are willing to travel. Kentucky Humanities will handle the paperwork for all speaking engagements you accept and will pay you an honorarium of $225 plus travel at $.50 per mile and meals. If you accept an engagement that requires an overnight stay, the host group is obligated to provide lodging. At the time you accept a booking, you should advise the sponsor if you will require lodging. In some small towns with no motels, you may be offered lodging in a private home along with a great home-cooked meal and a lot of hospitality.

We cannot guarantee bookings. Kentucky Humanities does our best to select topics and speakers that match the interests of Kentuckians, but we never know how many calls you will receive. As an independent contractor, you are in complete control of your schedule. You can say yes to as many requests that you wish to say yes to. You can also choose if you want to offer your talks virtually.

We hope you will consider applying to become a member of our Speakers Bureau or renewing your contract with us. 

The deadline to apply is Monday, April 15, 2024. All applicants will be notified if they have been selected by Wednesday, May 31st. Our new booking season will begin August 1, 2023.
If you are a first-time applicant, please go to the link below and complete the form by Monday, April 15, 2024

To renew your contract, please go to the link below and complete the basic information. You do not have to enter talk descriptions if there are no changes. If you want to offer a new talk, please enter the title and description of the new talk(s) (strongly advised).