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June 9, 2008

Copies of Art Available for Schools, Libraries

You've heard the proverb, "A picture is worth a thousand words" and most of us would agree it's true.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), an independent federal agency, took this idea and expanded it on the premise that a sampling of American art could be used to tell the story of America. Our citizenry is united by our devotion to shared ideals. By studying American art, we insure these ideals are passed on and remembered.

The result of this effort is a grant of 40 reproductions of American masterpieces to more than 24,000 schools and 2,300 public libraries nationwide. Each institution receiving the 24" by 36" masterpieces will also receive an in-depth resource book providing a wide range of ideas and background information for optimal usage of the works.

It must have been a wonderful, yet awful, task to choose only 40 pieces of American art, especially if you define "art" as paintings, sculpture, architecture, fine crafts and photography. As Americans we've been producing art since 1776. Add in Native American art and you have a lot to choose from!

Additionally, each work chosen had to be of interest for both first graders and senior citizens, with appeal to an audience as diverse as all the people you see at the grocery store. Quality and range of media were also considerations.

Finally, each art work had to fit into a matrix or whole that would tell our story as Americans yet be divisible into themes or tracks. This was an educational effort and needed to be based on sound pedagogy. It must have taken many experts months to decide on just 40 items, undoubtedly, with more than a few spirited discussions along the way.

Leading the effort in this initiative was NEH Chairman Bruce Cole, who taught and wrote about art history for nearly three decades before becoming Chairman of the Endowment. "Picturing America offers an understanding of our shared culture with few barriers. We learn and can relate to each other just by looking." (Go to http://picturingamerica.neh.gov/ for a look at the winners.

As past president of the American Library Association (ALA) it was my pleasure to participate in the Chicago announcement of area winners last week at the Chicago History Museum. ALA is one of the sponsors of the grant program.

On the national level, I was pleased with this opportunity because I feel passionately about libraries as cornerstones of democracy and places where important issues are discussed. Libraries receiving these 40 Picturing America masterworks are being given a significant tool for the advancement of this role.

On a local level, I was extremely proud because nine public libraries in the North Suburban Library System received these grants along with five private school libraries, 51 public school libraries and eight school districts. I can't wait to hear about the programs, exhibits, discussions, dramatizations, and other uses resulting from the gift of these 40 masterworks.

If your school or library is not getting one of the Picturing America grants, it's not too late to apply. Detailed instructions for submitting an application can be found in the ‘Apply Now' section of the Picturing America web site, http://picturingamerica.neh.gov/

Note that these grants are available to public, private, parochial, and charter and home school consortia (K-12), as well as public libraries in the U.S. Chairman Cole said, "The Endowment believes that Picturing America should be in every school and public library in the United States." Sounds like you've got a good chance.

To get a better "picture" of the NEH project, listen to my podcast with Cole at www.librarybeat.org/podcast

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