This topic investigates the benefits of creating symbiotic relationships between the academy and public humanitarians. People with whom scholars in the academy can dialogue and collaborate include public librarians, theatre, dance, and music directors, poets and authors, museum curators, gallery owners, local historians, members of religious and cultural institutions, political activists, leaders of non-profits, public radio and television programmers, and writers of print/internet news media. Some questions to consider: Why should we foster these relationships? What can be gained, particularly in a time when the humanities are to some degree in peril? How can we mutually benefit one another? Might anything be lost (for example, subject matter being misrepresented or “watered down” for public consumption)? How can broadening our relationships help us better reach either underserved communities or communities that have not been recognized for their contributions? Which strategies for humanities advocacy have been successful in the past? Not successful? Can building networks enable us to challenge the labels of intellectual elitism or “Ivory Tower” exclusionism? How wide should we cast our nets? What factors keep us from being more engaged in building these relationships and what can we do to mitigate them? Participants are encouraged to use this session to help them create panels/presentations for the next CCHA conference.