
Application Deadline: February 12, 2008
Programming Dates: September 2008 - June 2009
Approximately 300 organizations from communities of varying sizes across the country will be selected.
INTRODUCTION
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. Created by the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Arts Midwest, The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment.
Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America, a report issued in July 2004 by the National Endowment for the Arts, identified critical issues facing literary reading. The Big Read aims to address this crisis squarely and effectively. It provides citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities. To support innovative reading programs in selected cities and towns, the initiative provides grants, comprehensive resources, and support for discussing literature.
To learn more about The Big Read, including current programming, visit other areas of this Web site.
The purpose of The Big Read is to encourage literary reading. The following outlines the expectations and requirements for Big Read organizations.
Organizations selected to participate in The Big Read will receive a grant, 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. All grantees selected to participate will have the distinction of using the brand The Big Read.
Grant size
Applicants may apply for grants ranging from $2,500 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. For example, the suggested grant range for a small community with fewer than 50,000 people is $2,500-$7,500; the suggested grant range for a major metropolitan community with more than 500,000 people is $7,500-$20,000. 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. Please see the Project Budget Instructions for more information.
Available book titles: September 2008 – June 2009 programming
Applicant organizations must select one of the following 22 books for their programming prior to applying to The Big Read:
* For information on participating in a special cultural exchange initiative with Egypt, please see The Big Read Egypt/U.S. Guidelines & Application.
PROGRAM PLANS
Programming should strive to involve the entire community, especially lapsed and/or reluctant readers, to counter the downward trend facing literary reading. While The Big Read welcomes frequent readers as participants, applicant organizations should pay significant attention to reaching deep into their communities to engage individuals for whom literary reading is not a regular activity. The NEA study Reading at Risk indicates that only slightly more than one-third of adult American males now read literature. It is therefore especially important to engage adolescent males in your Big Read programming.
Community organizations participating in The Big Read shall develop and produce a well-planned, well-attended, community-wide read with innovative, diverse programming, and widespread community involvement and participation. The ideal Big Read program should be approximately one month in duration and must occur between September 2008 and June 2009. A successful Big Read will a) reach lapsed and/or reluctant readers, b) possess a wide range of imaginative activities, and c) occur in a variety of locations. Successful applicants' programming will occur in various venues beyond libraries to encourage participation by diverse audiences and reluctant readers.
Activities should include:
The number of activities planned should correlate with your community population. Please note: organizations are responsible for seeking legal permissions for certain activities and promotional materials.
PARTNERSHIPS
Successful programs involve a variety of partnerships with diverse local organizations to broaden audience outreach and deepen participation, especially reaching lapsed and/or reluctant readers.
Applicant organizations must partner with a library (if the applicant itself is not a library). Other collaborating organizations might include bookstores, museums, arts organizations, local businesses, chambers of commerce, community service organizations, community centers, youth groups, senior centers, schools, community colleges, universities, prisons, neighborhood associations, and social service organizations.
The Big Read also serves military personnel and their families. Where available, community organizations are encouraged to involve military installations as active partners in Big Read programs.
INVOLVEMENT WITH SCHOOLS
Literary reading is fading as a meaningful activity for younger people. The NEA study Reading at Risk indicates that only slightly more than one-third of adult American males now read literature. It is therefore especially important to engage adolescent males in Big Read programming. Involvement of middle and high schools is essential to meeting the goals of The Big Read.Participating community organizations should partner with local schools capable of integrating The Big Read materials in classrooms, involving students in school-based Big Read activities, and/or involving students in local programming. Prior to applying, community organizations should develop program plans with school leaders, such as teachers, school librarians, English department chairs, principals, superintendents, or curriculum specialists.
K-12 schools and school districts, whether public or private, may not be the lead applicant, but are encouraged to partner with libraries, literary centers, museums, and other eligible applicants.
MEDIA, PUBLIC RELATIONS, AND PROMOTION
In order to ensure a large audience and strong participation in your activities, applicant organizations must successfully and widely promote The Big Read. Prior to applying, community organizations should work with local print and broadcast (radio and TV) media to identify each outlet's specific commitments to cover and promote The Big Read. Applicants most likely to be funded will show media as an integral partner in their Big Read program. The highest scored applications will be those that demonstrate strong media (especially TV and radio) partnerships. In particular, applications should indicate how media partners plan to actively participate, support, and promote The Big Read.Community organizations selected to participate in The Big Read should actively generate media attention through partnerships with local TV, radio, and print media and through other promotion and public relations efforts.
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
The awareness of and meaningful participation in The Big Read by elected public officials will benefit your programming and the future of The Big Read.
Participating community organizations should actively involve local, state, or federal public officials (e.g., mayors, city council members, state legislators, Members of Congress).
EDUCATIONAL AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
One of the major benefits of The Big Read for community organizations is the availability of high-quality educational and promotional materials provided in large quantities at no cost to participating community organizations.
Participating community organizations must distribute and use the following educational and promotional materials provided by the program.
Participating community organizations also contribute to and promote The Big Read Web site, www.NEABigRead.org.
ADDITIONAL GRANT REQUIREMENTS
All Big Read organizations must:
ELIGIBILITY
Note: Applications from intermediary or umbrella organizations with general or vague plans lacking local impact will not be competitive.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Approximately 300 organizations from across the country will be selected by a panel of experts to participate in this cycle of The Big Read. Selections and grant awards will be based on the following:
SELECTION TIMELINE
| Intent to apply deadline (strongly encouraged) | January 11, 2008 |
| Application deadline | February 12, 2008 |
| Notification of selected communities | late April, 2008 |
| National orientation meeting, Minneapolis | June 8-9, 2008 |
| Project activity | September 2008 – June 2009 |
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application requirements submitted through eGRANT
Additional materials
application DEADLINE
All eGRANT applications must be submitted electronically to Arts Midwest on or before 4:00 p.m. CST on February 12, 2008.
Additional materials, as listed above, must be received in the mail by Arts Midwest on or before 4:00 p.m. CST on February 12, 2008. This is not a postmark deadline. The additional materials may not be e-mailed or faxed.
Please send your additional materials to:
The Big Read
Arts Midwest
2908 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612.341.0755
QUESTIONS
Please call Arts Midwest at 612.341.0755 or e-mail to TheBigRead@artsmidwest.org.
