NEA Big Read & Shakespeare in American Communities (Arts Midwest)

About this program

Arts Midwest, administering two NEA programs, is accepting applications for NEA Big Read—funding community reading programs and related arts events based on one of 50 NEA Big Read titles (grants $5,000–$20,000)—and Shakespeare in American Communities—a project-based matching grant to bring Shakespeare or Shakespeare-inspired works to students (grants $15,000–$25,000). NEA Big Read applicants may include arts organizations, universities, libraries, service organizations, museums, school districts, and tribal governments. Shakespeare in American Communities is limited to nonprofit theater companies/organizations that already have relationships with schools or the justice system and requires matching funds. Prospective applicants must consult Arts Midwest program guidelines for required partnerships, project details, deadlines, and application instructions.