Private nonprofit corporation funded by Congress through the NEH to provide public programs in traditional liberal arts disciplines to serve nonprofits in MS THE MISSISSIPPI HUMANITIES COUNCIL (MHC) SEEKS TO CREATE AND FOSTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI TO UNDERSTAND THEMSELVES AND OTHERS AND TO PLACE THEIR LIVES IN THE LARGER CONTEXT OF THE HUMAN CONDITION. IN THE BELIEF THAT LEARNING ABOUT THE PAST AND INTERPRETING THE PRESENT WILL ALLOW OUR SOCIETY TO PROVIDE A BETTER FUTURE FOR EVERYONE. THE MHC WILL USE THE PROCESSES AND DISCIPLINES OF THE HUMANITIES TO FOCUS ON FOUR AREAS: BOOKS AND READING, MISSISSIPPI HISTORY AND CULTURE, CIVIL DISCOURSE, AND CAPACITY BUILDING.