Supporter Spotlight: Domini Martin Urban

Indiana Humanities thrives because of the generosity of our donors — individuals and corporate supporters alike — who help us bring the humanities to life across the state. Their contributions fuel public programs, fund grants, and provide Indiana communities with meaningful opportunities to think, read, and talk. To celebrate their impact, we’re spotlighting the donors who make our work possible, going behind the gift and sharing their stories.  

For our new Supporter Spotlight series, we had the opportunity to connect with Domini Martin Urban — a current member of our board and as well as a member of our Meredith Nicholson Society, which is a special subset of our donor base that you can learn more about here. We’ve developed a series of five questions for our Society members to better understand their dedication to supporting the humanities.

Why do the humanities matter to you?

The humanities are the foundation of human cooperation and shared experience. I think about how storytelling, literature, and philosophy help us to understand our ancestors, document current events and ideas, and help us lay the groundwork for a brighter future. They matter because they make us human. They matter even more to me now since I started working in Tech. Being able to step in someone else’s shoes is really important to developing UI/UX and problem solving while developing a product. 

What’s your favorite humanities discipline (and why)?

Philosophy and literature are my favorite disciplines. Being able to share ideas and communicate effectively is what makes us human, and these two disciplines make it possible to bridge the gap between what was, what is, and what can be. 

What are you feeling curious about lately?

I have been interested in examining how the decline of “third spaces” has led to skills gaps in the workplace, and how to help young people learn those skills. 

What’s your all-time favorite Indiana Humanities experience?

My favorite experience was gathering for our annual board meeting and getting to experience the Unearthed film tour with the public in conjunction with an art exhibition in Northwest Indiana. It was lovely to see the programming we support bring people together. Enjoying the company of others and bonding over a shared experience can feel decadent, almost illicit in today’s hyper segmented society. At a time when entertainment options are focused on finding the right audience, sharing something meant to unite was positively delicious. 

Why do you support Indiana Humanities?

I support Indiana Humanities because they are constantly helping people see what they have in common rather than what separates them. That is the key to humanity moving forward.