Washington University’s Department of English in Arts & Sciences has received a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support Big Read programs next semester.
Modeled on successful “city reads” programs, the Big Read is a new national program designed to encourage literary reading by helping communities come together to read and discuss a single book. English — one of only 72 organizations from around the country to receive a Big Read grant — will partner with several other campus areas, including Edison Theatre, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Washington University Libraries, the Assembly Series, the Center for Humanities, and Government and Community Relations to design programs around Ray Bradbury’s classic novel Fahrenheit 451.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to work together with schools, libraries, arts organizations and a wide range of community groups throughout the greater St. Louis area to promote the personal value and social importance of reading,” said David Lawton, Ph.D., professor and chair of English, who spearheaded the university’s application.
“Fahrenheit 451 is a fine novel in its own right, and it also raises many important questions about the power of books and reading that can be approached in all kinds of different ways. All participants are welcome, the more the better — to help lead a discussion group, produce a film festival, mount an exhibit, or stage a play or a public reading. This grant is about getting as many readers and non-readers involved in discussing the themes of the book.”
Those interested in partnering, organizing or participating in the Big Read should contact Cheryl Adelstein, director of community relations and local government affairs, at (314) 935-5752 or cadelstein@wustl.edu. For more information about the program, visit the NEA Web site, at: http://www.nea.gov/news/news06/BRPhaseI.html.