Your Regional Humanities Networks questions answered.
How many RHNs are there?
Beginning in 2026, we are expanding the program to cover the entire state of Maryland for the first time. There are eight different Regional Humanities Networks:
- BALTIMORE RHN: Baltimore & Baltimore County
- CAPITAL RHN: Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s Counties
- CENTRAL RHN: Carroll, Frederick, Washington
- LOWER EASTERN SHORE RHN: Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester
- SOUTHERN RHN: Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s
- UPPER BAY RHN: Cecil, Harford
- UPPER EASTERN SHORE RHN: Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot
- WESTERN RHN: Allegany & Garrett
What parts of the state participated in the program?
We have an RHN for every region in Maryland. The program covers the entire state, with an RHN for each and every county.
The RHN initiative originally started as a way to bring resources to rural communities, with a single RHN, and has grown over the years to cover both rural and urban communities.
We recently created new ones to provide support and convene conversations in areas that we have not had RHNs in the past.
What are the objectives of the RHN?
The RHN objectives include:
- promoting partnerships
- fostering conversations
- cultivate relationships between both MH and local groups
- build trust and understanding
- increasing capacity/providing technical assistance
This capacity-building project promotes connections among organizations, allowing Maryland Humanities to serve as a statewide convener in local communities. Our hope is to amplify the work of and hold space for partners with diverse stories, audiences, and programs to promote dialogue and support collaborative efforts statewide.
What are the benefits of becoming an RHN member?
- Monthly professional development opportunities
- Meetings to share resources and promote collaborations
- Networking opportunities held around the state
- Early access to Maryland Humanities events and partnership opportunities
- Access to a shared online resource library with recordings, tools, and materials from past RHN sessions, centralizing both new and previously public recordings in one secure location for participants.
Members receive exclusive access to capacity-building workshops, regional meetings, an online resource portal, and the first humanities conference offered in Maryland.
We provide technical assistance through the RHNs by making resources including tool kits, links to additional educational and recordings of capacity building workshops, available online.
Virtual workshops take place focus on different capacity-building content, featuring experts from across the country, as well as firsthand case studies from those implementing best practices in their communities.
Listening sessions are conducted to learn directly from our partners about their most relevant issues and explore opportunities based on their expressed needs. Our findings inform our efforts to adapt our outreach efforts, build trust, and intentionally engage with diverse communities.
Who can become a member?
All types of organizations and individuals interested in having a meaningful impact in their communities work are welcome.
We actively cultivate partnerships with the goal of providing a space for sharing knowledge. Partnerships with cultural, historical and arts organizations support our shared engagement in public service.
We are focused on how organizations and community members in different sectors- including but not limited to museums, universities/colleges, libraries, historical societies, service organizations and individuals -can pool their resources in order to assess, enhance, and communicate their public impact in ways that ultimately foster greater regional support for the humanities.
How much does membership cost?
Annual membership costs:
- Individuals: $50
- Institutions: $100
- Academic institutions: $500
Institutional and academic members may send an unlimited number of participants to RHN events. A coordinator at each site will manage their group’s membership.