Since its establishment in 1975 as an independent nonprofit agency, UHC and its programs have reached every corner of the state, involving thousands of people as planners, participants, and audiences. Nonprofit organizations such as libraries, historical societies, museums, local arts and humanities councils, civic and service organizations, public radio and television stations, educational institutions, local and state government agencies, ad hoc groups, and others collaborate with UHC. While UHC seeks to serve the entire state, we occasionally undertake temporary initiatives that focus on selected topics, targeted audiences, or geographic locations.

UHC sponsors programs designed to enrich public discussion and encourage citizen involvement. We provide grants and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations and a limited number of individual grants to scholars; offer speakers for public forums, maintain a circulating library, present an annual book festival, and collaborate on projects and services with other cultural and educational leaders in the state. A volunteer board of directors, representing a wide variety of disciplines and communities, makes policy, directs planning, evaluates programs, and judges grant proposals. Not a state agency, UHC is supported by an annual grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and by contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, the Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts and Parks Fund, and an appropriation from the State of Utah.

The Utah Humanities Council offers opportunities for all Utahns to engage in reflection, discourse, and dialogue and to find joy in learning. We respect the intertwining histories, philosophies, beliefs, and aspirations of every race, religion, and culture. We provide programs for people of all ages to talk openly and thoughtfully with each other about the values that unite and divide us, and to work together to solve the problems we face. We respect and value the ideal of citizenship and take seriously every person’s responsibility to make informed, enlightened decisions. In all our endeavors, we celebrate human thought and creativity and draw on history's great ideas--liberty, equality, and justice; truth, mercy, and honor--as we seek to build a better world.