NEA Delivers The Big Read to Hawai'i

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jackie Smythe
September 18, 2007
808-371-4366
SassHawaii@hawaii.rr.com

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCES BIG READ GRANT TO HAWAI'I CAPITAL CULTURAL DISTRICT

TO CELEBRATE - THE JOY LUCK CLUB

Washington, D.C.—September 18, 2007—The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced that Hawai'i Capital Cultural District (HCCD) is one of 117 organizations that received grants to support Big Read programs between September and December 2007. The Big Read, launched nationally in 2006 by the NEA, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Arts Midwest, encourages literary reading by asking communities to come together to read and discuss a single book. The organizations selected to participate in the Big Read receive grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to promote and carry out community-based programs. The Big Read in the state of Hawai'i received $20,000 for program which will take place throughout the month of October.

“Culture in Hawai'i is revered, and literature is a powerful way to communicate our cultural experiences, both within and outside of our communities. Besides studies show literary reading promotes community involvement and an appreciation for culture and arts" said HCCD President, Mona Abadir "We are honored to receive this nationally competitive grant. HCCD and our partners are thrilled to be part of the Big Read, in order to share our diverse and unique programs associated with our book selection, The Joy Luck Club.”

Modeled on successful “one book, one community” programs, the Big Read was created to address the national decline in literary reading as documented in the NEA’s 2004 landmark survey Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America. The survey showed that less than half the American adult population now reads literature.

To encourage community-wide participation, Hawai'i Capital Cultural District, the Office of the Governor, Hawai'i State Library System, Department of Education, Hawai'i Council for the Humanities, the Manoa Foundation and University of Hawai'i are collaborating to develop a program on activities related to the selected novel. Big Read events in Hawai'i include celebrity readings, theatrical interpretations, movie screenings, cultural events and panel discussions throughout the state.

“It is inspiring to see so many community-based organizations pull together to support The Big Read. Partnerships at the federal, state, county and private levels will ensure the success of this important campaign for community literacy and lifelong learning. The book selection, The Joy Luck Club, is a perfect fit for Hawai'i because it represents several themes that permeate our rich culture: diversity, immigration, family and love. I am anxious to read the book again, along with members of the community statewide” said Governor Linda Lingle.

“By joining the Big Read, these cities and towns are showing that reading is necessary to the cultural, civic, even economic fabric of their communities. They understand the benefit of having people from different generations and walks of life reading and discussing a great book,” said NEA Chairman Dana Gioia. “Yes, this is about reading, but it’s also about getting people to leave their homes and offices, unplug themselves for a few hours, and enjoy the pleasures of literature with their neighbors.”

“We are pleased to announce this second round of Big Read grants. The first-round grantees created innovative and exciting partnership activities that exceeded our expectations,” said IMLS Director Anne-Imelda Radice, Ph.D. “We’re eager to support these additional communities in launching their collaborative efforts. Through the Big Read, IMLS and NEA are assisting people all across the country as they come together in community to rediscover the great American novel.”

The NEA has provided participating communities with a library of free materials, including readers’ and teachers’ guides for each of the Big Read novels, an audio guide for each novel featuring distinguished actors and writers, an online organizer’s guide for hosting a Big Read program, Big Read publicity materials, and a comprehensive program Web site. The Big Read for military communities is made possible by The Boeing Company.

For a complete list of communities participating in the Big Read, a list of the Big Read novels, program application guidelines to view reading at risk survey, or more information on Hawai'i’s program, please visit www.neabigread.org and www.hawaiicapitalculture.org

The Hawai'i Capital Cultural District coalition is a dynamic partnership of arts and cultural organizations, businesses, public agencies, and individuals who share a vision of a vibrant and active downtown Honolulu characterized by Hawai'i’s unique and diverse heritage, cultures, and arts. The organization’s mission is to preserve, nurture, and interpret the rich heritage of Hawai'i’s past and present; promote Hawai'i as a premier destination for cultural and heritage tourism; and generate economic development and neighborhood vitality in the collective District through its cultural assets.

The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts—both new and established—bringing the arts to all Americans, and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Endowment is the nation’s largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases. For more information, please visit www.arts.gov.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit: www.imls.gov.

Arts Midwest connects people throughout the Midwest and the world to meaningful arts opportunities, sharing creativity, knowledge, and understanding across boundaries. 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 www.artsmidwest.org.