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NEA awards $3 million in grants for 2009 The Big Read
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The National Endowment for the Arts will be awarding grants totaling over $3 million to 269 organizations as part of its latest The Big Read initiative. The program, which was launched in 2006, has grown to one of the largest of its kind promoting literacy in cities through the creation of reading programs. The 2009 The Big Read program will involve nonprofits and libraries participating to host events between September 2009 and June 2010. Other institutions participating in this year's initiativeinclude schools and colleges, arts organizations, and local governments. Grants awarded range from $2,500 to $20,000. The 2009-2010 Big Read grantees represent 44 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
According to the NEA website: The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of literature in American popular culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. Created by the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest, the Big Read aims to bring the power of reading into the lives of Americans. The Big Read will work with multiple partners across the country to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment.
"The Big Read highlights not only literature, but also what can be accomplished in partnership," said NEA Acting Chairman Patrice Walker Powell. "I’m grateful to IMLS, Arts Midwest, and the many, many nonprofits, local governments, and media outlets around the country that have partnered with the NEA to present hundreds of Big Read projects nationwide. We welcome our new community partners to The Big Read family and look forward to continuing this transformative dialogue between neighbors and across borders."
"The Institute is pleased to support The Big Read, which brings communities together to enjoy literature in their public libraries," said Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the NEA’s lead federal partner for The Big Read. "Libraries are community anchors that serve as centers of engagement, literacy, and lifelong learning. There is nothing better than to read a great book and to share your delight and insights with others."
The books featured in these programs will be selected from the NEA's designated list of titles and include works ranging from Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried to Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. This fall, the NEA also premieres four films about The Big Read authors Rudolfo Anaya, Ernest J. Gaines, Cynthia Ozick, and Tobias Wolff. Produced by Red Car Productions, the educational films offer intimate portraits of each author, including their writing philosophies, work spaces, and favorite books. Each film will be available at on The Big Read website in 20-minute and five-minute versions. The Big Read film series debuted last fall, featuring conversations with Ray Bradbury and Amy Tan. Events in previous years have provided read out-loud marathons with local celebrities and community leaders, film series and other presentations related to each novel and its themes, and keynote presentations on each novel and its relevance to the local community. A full list of the organizations selected to receive grants can be found on the NEA's official website. For more information on The Big Read visit neabigread.org.
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