Applying for the NEA Big Read

Applicants must:

• Be a 501c3 nonprofit; a division of state, local, or tribal government; or a tax-exempt public library.
• Be located in the United States and the Native nations that share this geography.
• Agree to acknowledge Arts Midwest and the National Endowment for the Arts in all programs and press materials related to funded engagements.
• Have a valid Unique Entity ID via SAM.gov (free to acquire).
• Comply with Federal eligibility requirements.

Examples of eligible applicants include:

• Arts centers, arts councils, and arts organizations
• Colleges and universities
• Libraries and literary centers
• Community service organizations, environmental organizations, and faith-based organizations
• Museums and historical societies
• School districts and local education agencies
• Tribal governments and non-profits

Ineligible Applicants

• Individual elementary or secondary schools
• For-profit business or organizations
• Artists, ensembles, and artist’s agents
• Applicants applying with a fiscal sponsor

Arts Midwest is currently accepting applications for events occurring between September 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Funded activities may be virtual or in-person. Each NEA Big Read applicant will be expected to:

1. Select a book from the current reading list.

2. Offer a variety of imaginative events and activities related to your book selection. Minimum requirements include:

• One (1) public kick-off event to launch the program (e.g., book giveaways, mayoral proclamation, outdoor concert or festival, art exhibition opening).
• At least five (5) book discussions.
• At least two (2) presentations inspired by the content and/or themes of the selected book (e.g., an in-person or online Q&A with an NEA Big Read or companion title author, panel discussions, lectures, film screenings).
• At least two (2) projects or activities that engage the community and/or respond creatively to the selected book or companion title (e.g. art exhibitions, poetry slams, theatrical or musical performances, writing workshops and contests, storytelling events in the community).

Note: Event types may be combined. For example, a kick-off event can include both a presentation session and a discussion of the book.

3. Engage with community partners.

• Applicants must partner with a library, unless the applicant itself is a library. Higher education applicants must partner with a library that is not directly affiliated with their institution.
• Applicants must partner with at least one additional community organization or group. This partnership should serve to expand the applicant’s existing base to include new participants of various abilities, ages, cultural backgrounds, education levels, and occupations.
• Applicants and community partners must promote their programming and outreach efforts to ensure community participation, inclusivity, and reach to broad and diverse groups.

Examples of ineligible projects

• A project that exclusively focuses on literacy. Literacy may be a component of an NEA Big Read but it is not the mission of the program.
• A project that exclusively focuses on a book that is not on the NEA Big Read book list. Applicants must select an NEA Big Read book but may include related titles for their programming.
• Projects funded by another federal source.
• Projects with a total budget less than $10,000. (See more under “Budget Requirements”)

Applicants may request grant awards ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. These grants are federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. These funds derive from Federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts (CFDA #45.024: Promotion of the Arts_Grants to Organizations and Individuals).

Matching requirement

Applicants will be required to demonstrate matching funds on a 1:1 basis for their requested grant amount. (For example, if an applicant requests a $10,000 NEA Big Read grant, the total project budget must be at least $20,000.) Federal funds cannot be used as match.

Examples of eligible expenses

• Speaker fees
• Book purchases
• Supply costs
• Promotional fees
• Project staff salaries
• Venue rentals
• Other expenses directly related and necessary to conducting your community-wide multi-disciplinary program.

Contact Arts Midwest at [email protected] with any inquiries about eligible expenses not listed above.

Examples of unallowable expenses

As a Federally funded program, unallowable uses of funds include, but are not limited to:

• Refreshments, concessions, food, and alcohol
• Fellowships or cash prizes
• Payment for facilities, purchase of capital equipment, or non-project related administrative expenses.
• Overlapping project costs between federal awards, whether received directly from a federal agency or indirectly, such as through a state agency or other entity.
• Entertainment costs, such as opening parties, receptions, or fundraisers designed to raise funds for your own organization and on behalf of another person, organization, or cause.
• Programs restricted to any organization’s membership; programs must be promoted and available to the general public.

Applications are reviewed by an independent advisory panel composed of a diverse group of arts and literature experts and other individuals with broad knowledge of community programs. Panel composition changes annually.

Grantees are selected based on:

• Artistic excellence and merit of programming. The panel will review the relevance and rationale of the chosen NEA Big Read book and (if applicable) any accompanying companion title(s), as well as the quality of diverse and imaginative literary programs held at a variety of accessible spaces that address the themes, writing, and content of the chosen NEA Big Read book and meet the programming requirements.
• Depth of audience engagement. The panel will consider the relevance and depth of involvement with individuals and organizations that will assist with program deployment and broaden audience participation beyond the applicant’s primary constituent base. The panel will also consider efforts to engage audiences of various abilities, ages, cultural backgrounds, educational levels, races, ethnicities, and occupations as partners and participants.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The panel will evaluate the applicant’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access as they relate to the proposed project including accessibility design and services for people with disabilities, reaching a variety of audiences, working with diverse partners, etc.
• The ability and capacity to carry out the project. The panel will consider the applicant’s ability to manage and implement an NEA Big Read program. The panel will consider organizational capacity, the planning timeline, the participation of appropriate personnel, and a reasonable budget plan with the required 1-to-1 match.

If funded, applicants will be responsible for providing Arts Midwest with schedules, reports, and other required materials. For more information, please review the grant agreement. For example, grantees will be required to:

• Inform Arts Midwest of any changes to the program start and end dates.
• Provide Arts Midwest with an initial engagement schedule, no later than 30 days before the scheduled start date.
• At the conclusion of programming, submit a final report to Arts Midwest within 45 days. This includes a final budget, attendance numbers, and narrative responses.
• Use the full amount of the grant award and required one-to-one match, before submitting a final budget.
• Provide access to programs and events should Arts Midwest decide to conduct a site visit during the project.