The National Humanities Center, the country's only independent institute for advanced research in all branches of the humanities, was founded in 1978 under the auspices of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Each year in a rigorous, open, international competition that attracts over 500 applications, the Center assembles a community of thirty-five to forty scholars who pursue research projects of their choosing in an environment designed to promote their best work. More than 1,000 scholars have studied at the Center. Research done there has resulted in hundreds of books on topics ranging from the language of Shakespeare to the philosophy of human rights.

The Center sponsors seminars, conferences, and lectures. It improves the teaching of the humanities on the pre-collegiate level through its Teacher Professional Development Program. It makes current scholarship available to teachers on all levels through TeacherServe^®, an interactive online curriculum enrichment service.

Located in North Carolina's Research Triangle Park, the Center is minutes away from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, North Carolina State University, and North Carolina Central University.

The Center's building includes private studies and public areas. The Commons is a setting for lectures, concerts, and exhibits, as well as more intimate gatherings.

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