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.
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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. |