You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

About Florida Talks

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.

Support for Florida Talks is provided by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support provided by the Jacarlene Foundation.

     

Online Florida Humanities’ Program Directory

Dr. Vincent Adejumo

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.

Application Basics

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.

Travel Reimbursement

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.

Questions?
Contact us.

Grants@flahum.org
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
Museum Director,
Clewiston Museum

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
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Apply: Create an account or log in to your account through Florida Humanities’ Application Portal. Apply six weeks before your program date. Applications will be rejected if your organization has any outstanding Florida Talks final reports. 
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Advertise: Use Florida Humanities’ marketing kits to advertise your program. The Google Drive link to the media kits is sent directly to the project director with the decision email if approved. Florida Talks programs are added to our events calendar and may be shared on social media and featured in digital newsletters.
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Event Listing Form

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.

Sample Speaker Agreement

Hosting Checklist

Use this document to track your progress throughout hosting a Florida Talks program.

Hosting Checklist

Participant Surveys

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:

ATTN: Florida Talks
Florida Humanities
599 Second Street S
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701

Online Survey

Final Report

Final Reports are due within 7 days of your program date. Final Reports can be accessed through the Online Application Portal.

Complete Final Report