The ALA Public Programs Office and the National Endowment for the Humanities are pleased to announce a new grant opportunity for public libraries that received the NEH’s Picturing America collection of American artwork. Grants of $2,000 will be distributed to 30 public libraries to support public programs that highlight the Picturing America collection. Applications will be accepted though March 31 at www.programminglibrarian.org/picturingamerica.

To be eligible, the proposed program or program series must feature humanities content and include use of the Picturing America collection. All programs must take place July 1, 2010 – January 31, 2011 and be open to public audiences. Some examples of eligible programs include: scholarly lectures, panel discussions, reading and discussion series, film viewing and discussion, poetry programs and exhibits. In June 2010, the National Endowment for the Humanities will announce the 30 libraries selected to receive the programming grants. Libraries can find programming ideas and the online application at www.programminglibrarian.org/picturingamerica.

Picturing America, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities, has provided masterpieces of American art to more than 50,000 classrooms and libraries nationwide. Through the program, students and citizens gain a deeper appreciation of our country’s history and character through the study and understanding of its art. For more information about Picturing America visit http://picturingamerica.neh.gov/.