Pomona Big Read
Check out the Pomona Big Read on the NEA Big Read Blog!
http://www.nea.gov/bigreadblog/
Cal Poly Pomona Downtown Center
Awarded Big Read Grant Pomona to read and celebrate
“To Kill a Mockingbird”
during its second Big Read!
Cal Poly Pomona has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to host The Big Read in Pomona. Cal Poly Pomona is one of 208 libraries, municipalities, and arts, culture, higher education, and science organizations from across the country, 46 states, and including the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to receive a grant to host The Big Read from September 2008-June 2009.
The Big Read, initiated by the NEA as well as the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest, gives communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss, and celebrate one of 23 selections from American and world literature. The Big Read in Pomona will focus on “To Kill A Mockingbird”.
As a recipient of a Big Read grant for $17,000, Cal Poly Pomona along with community leaders and partnering organizations will promote and carry out community-based reading programs featuring activities such as read-a-thons, book discussions, lectures, movie screenings, and performing arts events. Participating communities also receive high-quality, free-of-charge educational materials to supplement each title, including Reader’s, Teacher’s, and Audio Guides.
The Big Read will launch in the Pomona area with participation during Pomona Community Day at the LA County Fair on September 5th, with additional events to follow in October through November 2008.
“We are hopeful that Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird” will be a catalyst to bring people together around the broad themes of tolerance and justice that are prevalent in the book,” said Owens. “We are hopeful that as our community reads, they will not only find pleasure in that reading but also enlightenment and the ability to understand and get along with each other.”
To date, the NEA has given more than 500 grants to support local Big Read projects.
“Everything the NEA does we do in partnership. I am delighted to announce our 208 new partners in The Big Read. Some are new to the program, some are returning, but all of them have answered the call to action to get our country reading again,” said NEA Chairman Dana Gioia.
Big Read Website: neabigread.org
Contact Information
Jonnie Owens, Community Outreach Coordinator
Email: jjowens@csupomona.edu
This event is part of The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Artsin partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.
