The Texas Center for Public History at Texas State University will host the popular Night of Ideas event on April 4 from 3:30 p.m.-midnight for free in Taylor-Murphy Hall and The Wittliff Collections. This is in partnership with Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education, and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Distinguished Professorship in the Humanities.
Night of Ideas promises a nocturnal marathon of six films, exhibitions, pitch sessions, short dialogues, interactive workshops, and even a dance party. The sessions will feature more than 75 speakers, researchers, an exhibition, Emmy award-winning filmmakers, Grammy award-winning musicians, journalists and more from all over the world.
“One of my favorite ways to think about how new ideas come about is by mixing things together that are somewhat random,” said Louie Dean Valencia, Ph.D., NEH distinguished professor in the humanities, associate professor, and event organizer.
“I participated in this event in New York when I was a grad student. The best way I can describe it is by the end of the night, sometimes you’re dancing, sometimes you’re listening to mini philosophy dialogues, and sometimes you’re learning technical skills.”
The theme of this year’s worldwide slate of Night of Ideas events is “Common Ground: Technology, Democracy, and the Planet.” The event will address major global issues and will prompt participants to consider how to commit to and protect things in common.
Headlining sessions during the event include:
- Hannah Shepard: Keynote speech, "Archival Storytelling in Documentary Film"
- Ophélie Omnes: Keynote workshop, "The tools for impact: Start changing the world here and now!"
- Michael Alexandersson: Concert and stories
- LOUD HOUND (Tommy Florio): Concert and stories
- Mela Sarajane Dailey, Mallory McHenry and Leslie Bellair: Concert and stories
- Joe Gallagher, Daniel Robbins and Zack Weiner: Screening and Q&A, “Citizen Weiner”
- Alexander Blum (CEO, Applied Bioplastics): Talk, "Time is Your Only Resource"
- Grant McCarty (Bitcoin Policy Institute): Conversation with Louie Dean Valencia, "Authority and Power: Youth, Tech, and Changing the World”
- And many more
Since 2016, Night of Ideas has been held in more than 100 countries and 300 cities worldwide. This year, it returns to 25 U.S. cities, aiming to strengthen French American dialogue on shared challenges while making intellectual debate more inclusive, blending thought-provoking discussion with artistic performances.
Visit the Night of Ideas webpage to register to attend and for the full schedule of events.