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December 2008
Quick Facts:
The Big Read is an initiative of the National
Endowment for the Arts, designed to restore reading
to the center of American culture.
The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with
the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in
cooperation with Arts Midwest.
The Big Read began as a pilot project in 2006 with
10 communities featuring 4 books.
By 2009, approximately 400 communities in the U.S.
will have hosted a Big Read since the program's 2007
national launch.
www.NEABigRead.org
email
TheBigRead@artsmidwest.org |
The Big Read Accepting Applications
for 2009-2010 Cycle
The Big Read
is accepting applications from non-profit
organizations to conduct month-long, community-wide
reads between September 2009 and June 2010.
Applications will be accepted until February 3,
2009.
Organizations selected to participate in The Big
Read will receive a grant ranging from $2,500 to
$20,000, financial support to attend the orientation
meeting, educational and promotional materials for
broad distribution, Organizer’s Guide for developing
and managing Big Read activities, inclusion of your
organization and activities on The Big Read Web
site, and the prestige of participating in a highly
visible national initiative. Approximately 400
organizations of varying sizes across the country
will be selected for this cycle.
The Big Read
is an initiative of the
National Endowment for the Arts, designed to
restore reading to the center of American culture.
The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with
the
Institute of Museum and Library Services and in
cooperation with
Arts Midwest. The Big Read brings together
partners across the country to encourage reading for
pleasure and enlightenment.
The Big Read answers a big need.
Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in
America,
a 2004 report by the National Endowment for the
Arts, found that not only is literary reading in
America declining rapidly among all groups, but that
the rate of decline has accelerated, especially
among the young.
Each community event lasts approximately one month
and includes a kick-off event to launch the program
locally, ideally attended by the mayor and other
local luminaries; major events devoted specifically
to the book; events using the book as a point of
departure; and book discussions in diverse locations
and aimed at a wide range of audiences..
To download the Guidelines & Application
Instructions go to
www.NEABigRead.org.
Contact Arts Midwest with questions about the
application process at 612.238.8010 or email
TheBigRead@artsmidwest.org. |
