Get your community on the same page! NEA Big Read grants available

Get your community on the same page! NEA Big Read grants available

Application deadline: January 27, 2016

Libraries, museums, colleges and arts groups take note: the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations (and divisions of state, local, or tribal government) to develop community-wide reading programs between September 2016 and June 2017. NEA Big Read is a national program that broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. Two new titles have been added to the Big Read list this year: Vaddey Ratner’s In the Shadow of the Banyan and Tayari Jones’s Silver Sparrow.

Organizations selected to participate in the program receive a grant, educational and promotional materials, and access to online training resources and opportunities. Approximately 75 organizations from across the country will be selected. Funding ranges from $5,000 to $20,000.

Applicant organizations must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; a division of state, local, or tribal government; or a tax-exempt public library. Eligible applicants include organizations such as literary centers, libraries, museums, colleges and universities, arts centers, historical societies, arts councils, tribal governments, humanities councils, literary festivals, and arts organizations. Note: K–12 schools, school districts, boards of education, or other school governing bodies, whether public or private, are not eligible applicants, but may partner with eligible applicants.

The Beaufort County Library is South Carolina’s only current Big Read grantee. Check out the library’s upcoming Big Read programs for more information about the types of activities your organization could offer.

Visit the Big Read website for more information.

Questions? Call Arts Midwest at (612) 238.8010 or email neabigread@artsmidwest.org.