Florida Humanities Council (FHC): Florida Talks

Florida Humanities Council (FHC): Florida Talks is sponsored by Florida Humanities Council. Supports programs that promote public understanding of Florida's history and culture.

Florida Talks Speakers' Program | Florida Humanities Skip to content You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience. Application Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis no later than 6 weeks prior to the proposed program date.

Funding amount: Florida Humanities directly pays all speakers a $300 honorarium per program. Organizations are responsible for any remaining program costs, including speaker travel and program marketing. Funding decisions: All Florida Talks requests are reviewed within three weeks of submission.

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding in 2026, Florida Humanities is spending the year recognizing the everlasting spirit of Florida. Central to this effort is Florida Talks, Florida Humanities’ longest-running program.

Bringing some of the Sunshine State’s brightest minds to your community, Florida Talks presentations illuminate the many faces of Florida: its layered past, its dynamic present, and its unfolding future. Our 2026 speakers bureau features more than 40 exceptional scholars, journalists, authors, and humanities experts and over 70 engaging programs.

Each program is suited for adult audiences and includes a 30-45 minute presentation followed by time for audience questions. Online Florida Humanities’ Program Directory Hosting Highlights and Eligibility Florida Humanities pays a standard, pre-negotiated $300 honorarium directly to each speaker following the completion of an approved program.

Organizations are responsible for any remaining costs to host the program, including a speaker’s travel costs and marketing expenses. Florida Humanities provides templated marketing materials and program surveys as well as complimentary copies of our FORUM magazine to each hosting organization.

Florida nonprofit organizations, local municipalities, cultural and civic organizations, and educational entities are eligible to host Florida Talks programs. All programs must be free and open to public or only require a minimal, non-prohibitive attendance fee. Programs cannot be member-only events, fundraisers, or part of a fee-based conference that is not open to the general public.

Funding for this program is limited and not all eligible organizations may be approved for support. Eligible organizations must submit an application in Florida Humanities’ online grants system no later than six weeks before they intend to host a Florida Talks event. Organizations may apply to host up to three programs with one application if all programs occur within 90 days.

While there is no limit to how many speakers an organization may host per calendar year, organizations may only have one active Florida Talks application open at a time. All required final reports must be closed in good order before an organization may apply to host another Florida Talks program. Florida Humanities offers up to $250 in reimbursable speaker travel expenses to organizations with operating budgets of $250,000 or less .

The maximum amount of $250 applies to the total application submitted, not per program. (i.e. organizations requesting approval of more than one program in a single application may only receive a maximum travel reimbursement of $250, not $250 per program). If approved, this reimbursement will be paid directly to the program host organization, NOT the speaker.

Cynthia Barnett. Photo by Agrippina Fadel “We are extremely appreciative of Florida Humanities' continued support for the Florida Talks programs at the Clewiston Museum. Through the Florida Talks Speakers Bureau and Program Directory, the residents of Clewiston are continually exposed to interesting, entertaining, and educational topics.

Programs that would not usually be readily available in this rural area are made available free of charge. ” Leigh Woodham Steps to Host a Florida Talks Program Step 1: Select a Program Step 2: After Your Application and Before Your Event Step 3: During Your Event Step 4: After Your Event Program Selection: Browse the Florida Humanities’ Speakers’ Bureau and select a program.

If your organization is interested in hosting multiple programs within 90 days, you may include up to three (3) programs in one application. Contact: Contact the speaker directly and arrange a date, time, location, the format, and any travel costs for the program. Contact information for speakers is available on each speaker’s page.

Decision Email: Wait for a decision email from Florida Humanities staff before promoting your event, as not all requests may be approved. Applications are processed within three weeks of submission. Speaker Agreement: Following approval from Florida Humanities, confirm the date, time, location, recording permissions, format, and any travel costs with the speaker.

We encourage all organizations to solidify these terms in writing. Sample Speaker Agreement form . Event Listing Form: Once approved, submit an event listing form .

Event listing forms are required to capture all details about your organization’s Florida Talks event including the day, time, format, location, and registration details. Submission of an event listing form is required and must be completed within 7 days of approval . Communicate: We recommend testing all technology and the presentation platform with the speaker before the event.

Florida Humanities does not provide technological support for Florida Talks programs. Surveys: Distribute audience evaluations after the program. Provide a link to audience members for virtual programs.

Florida Humanities sends organizations survey cards for in-person programs automatically. Collected survey cards can be sent directly to Florida Humanities after the program. Final Report: Log back in to the Online Application Portal and complete a brief final report.

Final reports request information on attendance numbers, the quality of the presentation, and program costs. Final reports are due within 7 days of hosting a Florida Talks event. Travel Reimbursement: Travel reimbursement forms, if applicable, are completed as part of the final report.

Checks are sent directly to the host organization upon receipt and processing of final reports. Resources for Hosted Organizations Digital Event Listing Form Event listing forms must be submitted within 7 days of approval. If your organization is hosting multiple programs, submit one form for each event.

Sample Speaker and Organization Hosting Agreement This form is a sample of a contract between a host organization and the speaker to confirm a date, time, location, format, and any travel costs. This document is for sample use only and not for organizational use. Use this document to track your progress throughout hosting a Florida Talks program.

Share the survey link at virtual programs to gather audience feedback. Organizations automatically receive survey cards for in-person programs to distribute and send to Florida Humanities. Survey cards can be sent to: St.

Petersburg, Florida 33701 Final Reports are due within 7 days of your program date. Final Reports can be accessed through the Online Application Portal. Careers and Opportunities America 250: Everlasting Florida “Once Upon a Time in Florida” FORUM: Beyond the Pages Podcast America250 Book Collection Grants Public Humanities Program Grants Environmental Humanities Program Grants