NEA - The Big Read
National Endowment of the Arts - The Big Read

The Big Read Egypt/U.S.
Guidelines & Application Instructions

Application Deadline: January 4, 2008
Programming Dates: September 2008 - June 2009

INTRODUCTION

The Big Read Egypt/U.S. is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the U.S. Department of State, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest, designed to deepen cultural understanding and dialogue between Egyptians and Americans through the transformative power of literature. As part of the Department of State's Global Cultural Initiative, the Big Read Egypt/U.S. brings libraries, community groups, schools and other partners in the U.S. and Egypt together to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment and to share each other's literary treasures.

Four organizations will be selected to participate in The Big Read Egypt/U.S. Selected organizations will conduct a Big Read during September 2008-June 2009. Please review The Big Read guidelines for a full description of expectations concerning program plans, partnerships, involvement with schools, media, public relations and promotion, public officials, educational and promotional materials, and additional grant requirements.

In addition to conducting a Big Read program as described in The Big Read guidelines, Big Read Egypt/U.S. grantee organizations will have the opportunities described below available to them. Selected organizations must possess flexibility in all aspects of activities and planning.

Eligible organizations must call The Big Read Egypt/U.S. director Adam Perry at Arts Midwest (612.341.0755 x13) to discuss their application prior to submission.

THE BIG READ EGYPT/U.S. DESCRIPTION AND GUIDELINES

The Big Read Egypt/U.S. will feature:

  • Reading of The Thief and the Dogs, by award-winning Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz.
  • Meetings, briefings, and cultural exploration in Cairo, Egypt to learn about Naguib Mahfouz, Egyptian literature, and Egypt's history, religion, government, traditions, lifestyles, and people. The trip, led by Arts Midwest staff, will take place in April 2008 and will include two representatives from each selected organization.
  • Cultural exchange activities with Egyptian organizations participating in The Big Read in Egypt/U.S. Activities may include virtual exchanges, inclusion of Egyptian literary and cultural figures in programming, or other programs that enhance the readers' knowledge and understanding of the title.

The four organizations selected to participate in The Big Read Egypt/U.S. will receive a grant, financial support for the cultural trip to Egypt, financial support to attend a national orientation meeting, educational and promotional materials for broad distribution, an Organizer's Guide for developing and managing Big Read activities, inclusion of the organization and activities on The Big Read Web site, and the prestige of participating in a highly visible national initiative in addition to the features listed in the three bullets above. All grantees selected to participate will have the distinction of using the brand The Big Read.

Applicants may apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. Generally, grant size will be determined based on community population, the number of activities planned, and the overall strength of the application. Grants must be matched at least 1 to 1 with nonfederal funds. Grant funds may be used for such expenses as book purchases, speaker fees and travel, salaries, advertising, and venue rental. Grant amounts will be determined jointly by Arts Midwest and the selected grantee organization in spring 2008 following the orientation meetings in Washington, DC, and Cairo. *

ELIGIBILITY

Applicant organizations to The Big Read Egypt/U.S. must:

  • Have previously participated successfully as a grantee at least once in The Big Read.
  • Possess interest in international issues and cultural exchange, preferably demonstrated by previous projects or activities.
  • Have two staff members capable and willing to travel to Washington, DC, in March 2008 for an orientation with partner Egyptian organizations.*
  • Have two staff members capable and willing to travel to Egypt in April 2008 to meet partner Egyptian organizations, explore programming possibilities, and learn about Egypt. Must have valid U.S. passport. *
  • Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or a division of state, local, or tribal government.

K-12 schools and school districts are ineligible to apply.

* All allowable travel expenses are fully covered by The Big Read Egypt/U.S. through a grant from the United States Department of State.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Four organizations will be selected to participate in The Big Read Egypt/U.S. Selection will be based on:

  1. Capacity for interacting with Egyptian partners and representing the United States with appropriate diplomacy, understanding, and tact.
  2. Ability to collaborate with local, national, and international partners to effectively promote The Thief and the Dogs and this Egyptian cultural exchange.
  3. Effectiveness in achieving the goals of The Big Read as a previous grantee.

SELECTION AND PROGRAMMING TIMELINE

Application deadline January 4, 2008
Notification Late January, 2008^
Participate in one-and-a-half-day orientation for Egyptian partner organizations, Washington, DC March 2008
One-week trip to Cairo, Egypt (scheduled between April 11 and April 21) April 2008
Participate in The Big Read national orientation, Minneapolis, MN June 8-9, 2008
The Big Read Egypt / U.S. programming period September 2008 - June 2009

^An applicant not selected for The Big Read Egypt/U.S. is still eligible and encouraged to apply to The Big Read at the February 12, 2008 deadline.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Eligible organizations must call The Big Read Egypt/U.S. director Adam Perry at Arts Midwest (612.341.0755 x13) to discuss their application prior to submission. Following that discussion, you will be sent a certification page to complete and submit as part of your application.

Please respond to each of the following four questions in a three-page narrative. Repeat the question in your narrative response. Create narrative in Word using 11-point type, single-spaced, 1” margins, with organization's name at the top of each page and page number at the bottom of each page.

  1. What international experience(s) have you, your organization, or a partner organization had that qualify you to participate successfully in a global exchange project like The Big Read Egypt/U.S.?
  2. With what community organizations will you partner for your Big Read Egypt program? Please consider organizations such as Egyptian, Arabic, Islamic or other Arab American service organizations or cultural centers, university-based international studies programs, or Sister Cities programs.
  3. Why would your community be interested in reading this book? How would this opportunity benefit your community or your organization?
  4. As a past Big Read participant, what knowledge and experience could you share with your Egyptian counterparts? What knowledge and experience would you bring to your own planning?

Three-page narrative and signed certification page are due in Arts Midwest's office on or before 4:00 p.m. CST on January 4, 2008.

Please e-mail as attachments your three-page narrative and certification page to: adam@artsmidwest.org.

Your signed certification page may also be mailed or faxed to:

The Big Read Egypt/U.S.
Arts Midwest
2908 Hennepin Ave., Ste 200
Minneapolis, MN 55408
fax 612.341.0902

QUESTIONS

Please call Adam Perry at Arts Midwest, 612.341.0755 x13 or e-mail adam@artsmidwest.org.

 

The Big Read


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