NEA Big Read Program Solicitation, FY2018

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is seeking to enter into a Cooperative Agreement with a U.S. Regional Arts Organization (RAO) that will administer the 2019-2020 cycle of the NEA Big Read program. The NEA Big Read is a community reading program that broadens our understanding of the world, communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. The program annually supports approximately 75 community reading programs, each designed around a single NEA Big Read book selection. Each participating community organization: selects a book from the available titles for the entire community to read and celebrate over a 4-6 week time period; presents a series of public events about the featured book, such as book group discussions, readings, and media and arts programs; promotes participation in the program; and reports on the type and number of participants at events. Community programs each receive an NEA Big Read subgrant—ranging from $5,000 to $15,000—to undertake these activities and are provided with resources to support project programming.