The United Way of Hall County was recently named one of 62 organizations nationwide to receive a 2023-2024 National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Grant.
A press release from the United Way said the grant will support a community reading program focusing on the novel Infinite Country by Patricia Engel, with a series of events planned from Sept. 2023 through May 2024.
NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
“United Way of Hall County is honored to be chosen as an NEA Big Read grant recipient,” said Teigha Snowden, Director of Advocacy at the nonprofit. “This is a wonderful opportunity to come together for one shared learning experience and gain knowledge about perspectives that may be different from our own lives.”
Snowden said she hopes the program will help deepen collaborative efforts and ideas that were already happening across Gainesville and Hall County.
“This is a chance for us to collaborate with the amazing media specialists at the Hall County Library System and further engage with our schools and colleges,” continued Snowden, “while celebrating the role that literature has as a force for good conversation and bringing people together.”
“The NEA Big Read brings the transformative experience of reading to an entire community,” said Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. “This year’s grantees, including United Way of Hall County, are taking themes off the page and using creative programming to navigate difficult topics, explore new perspectives, and strengthen bonds between neighbors.”
The NEA Big Read offers a range of titles that reflect many different voices and perspectives, aiming to inspire meaningful conversations, artistic responses and new discoveries and connections in each community.
Infinite Country by Patricia Engel, the book Hall County readers will have the opportunity to discuss, is "the tale of one family and two countries, and the journey of immigrants as they navigate their circumstances," according to the release.
Hall County’s Big Read programming will include:
- Sept. 11, from 6 to 8:00 p.m.: Author visit from Patricia Engel, where she will speak, read excerpts, and give away free signed copies of Infinite Country. Location is the Hall County Library Main Branch.
- Feb. 24, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Poetry Slam and Storytelling event at The Arts Council (more information coming soon)
- April 2024: Writer’s Workshop (more information coming at a later date)
- May 31, 2024, from 6 to 9 p.m.: Viewing of the movie Under the Same Moon at The Arts Council.
There will also be five book discussion opportunities taking place throughout area communities. More information on these discussions will be available soon.
