WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley announced today that the National Endowment for the Arts has awarded two competitive grants totaling $21,500 to Iowa through the Big Read program.
The Big Read program is implemented in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and is administered by Arts Midwest. Funding through the Big Read program helps organizations engage the entire community in reading and discussing great works of literature. The National Endowment for the Arts also provides participating organizations with free support materials including reader's guides for students and community participants, teacher's guides, audio introductions to the book, as well as a comprehensive website.
"These funds will help members of these communities, both young and old, grow their knowledge through reading," Grassley said. "This program offers an opportunity for discussion about historic literature."
The money from the National Endowment for the Arts will be distributed as shown below.
· Summer of the Arts in Iowa City will receive $11,500 for Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
· Waukee Public Library Foundation in Waukee will receive $ 10,000 for Old School by Tobias Wolff.