The West Florida Public Library (WFPL) announced today that it has received a grant of $15,000 to host The Big Read program in Escambia County.
The West Florida Public Library is one of 77 nonprofit organizations to receive a grant to host The Big Read project between September 2014 and June 2015. The Big Read in Escambia County will focus on The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien’s novel about the lasting impact of the Vietnam War. O’Brien will come to Escambia County to launch The Big Read activities in October.
Managed by Arts Midwest, The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of reading in American culture by exposing citizens to great works of literature and encouraging them to read for pleasure.
The Big Read is made possible by WFPL’s strong community partnerships, including The Appleyard Agency, Pensacola Museum of Art, Pensacola Little Theatre and the continuing support of the Friends of West Florida Public Library.
For more information about the WFPL system, please contact Michael Lane at (850) 436-5060. For more information about The Big Read, please visit neabigread.org.
The West Florida Public Library is a system of seven library locations serving the communities of Escambia County. WFPL informs, empowers and entertains residents through its commitment to excellent service and innovative programming. For information about the West Florida Public Library and the services it provides, please visit mywfpl.com.
The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov.
Arts Midwest promotes creativity, nurtures cultural leadership, and engages people in meaningful arts experiences, bringing vitality to Midwest communities and enriching people’s lives. Based in Minneapolis, Arts Midwest connects the arts to audiences throughout the nine-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. One of six non-profit regional arts organizations in the United States, Arts Midwest’s history spans more than 25 years. For more information, please visit artsmidwest.org.
