FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2009

Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Jeannine Mjoseth, jmjoseth@imls.gov
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov

IMLS Joins the NEA in Announcing More Than $3.7 Million
in Grants for The Big Read

269 grantees include arts groups, libraries, science organizations,
colleges, and municipalities.

Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS) in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) awarded Big Read grants to 269 arts, culture, and science organizations, libraries, and municipalities on June 23. The communities and institutions will use the grants, totaling $3,742,765, to host Big Read celebrations that bring communities together to read, discuss, and celebrate one of 30 selections from U.S. and world literature.

Click here for a list of grantees.

“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, IMLS Director. “Libraries are community anchors that serve as centers of engagement, literacy, and lifelong learning. There is nothing better than reading a great book and sharing your delight and insights with others.”

“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 selected organizations, representing 44 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, will receive Big Read grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 to promote and carry out:

• a kick-off event to launch the program;
• activities devoted specifically to its Big Read book or poet such as panel discussions, lectures, and public readings;
• events using the selection as a point of departure like film screenings, theatrical readings, exhibits; and book discussions in diverse locations aimed at a wide range of audiences.

Since the 2006 pilot program, IMLS, NEA and project administrator Arts Midwest have given more than 800 grants to support local Big Read projects. Support for The Big Read is provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Transportation for The Big Read is provided by Ford.

New this fall, the NEA will premiere films about The Big Read authors Rudolfo Anaya, Ernest J. Gaines, Cynthia Ozick, and Tobias Wolff. The educational films offer intimate portraits of each author, including their writing philosophies, work spaces, and favorite books. The films produced by Red Car Productions will be available at www.neabigread.org in a 20-minute and five-minute version. The Big Read film series debuted last fall, featuring conversations with Ray Bradbury and Amy Tan.

To learn more about The Big Read, please visit www.neabigread.org.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.

About the National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Art is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Arts Endowment is the nation’s largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases. For more information, please visit www.arts.gov.

About Arts Midwest
Arts Midwest connects people throughout the Midwest and the world to meaningful arts opportunities, sharing creativity, knowledge, and understanding across boundaries. Arts Midwest connects the arts to audiences throughout the nine-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. One of six non-profit regional arts organizations in the United States, Arts Midwest’s history spans more than 25 years. For more information, please visit www.artsmidwest.org.