National Endowment for the Arts Big Read
National Endowment for the Arts Big Read supports community organizations with book purchases and reading and arts programs that celebrate local creativity, spark conversation, and strengthen connections.
Funder: Arts Midwest
Due Dates: January 12, 2027, noon CT (Eligibility Review) | January 26, 2027, noon CT (Full Proposal)
Funding Amounts: $5,000–$30,000 with a 1:1 nonfederal match; programming September 1, 2027–June 30, 2028
Summary: Supports community-wide reading and arts programs around a selected book and the theme “Read Like a Champion: Celebrating Great American Sports Stories.”
Key Information: Required partners include a library and an audience-expanding community group, with specific library exceptions.
Description
The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read, an NEA initiative administered in partnership with Arts Midwest, supports community-wide reading programs built around a primary book and shared theme. Grants support book purchases and literary and artistic programming that inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate varied voices, and strengthen community connections.
The 2027–2028 theme, “Read Like a Champion: Celebrating Great American Sports Stories,” explores competition, teamwork, perseverance, resilience, self-discovery, and well-being. Its 18-title library spans poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and graphic literature. Programs are intended primarily for adults and may include discussions, performances, exhibitions, film screenings, writing workshops, and storytelling. Activities must be accessible and strive to reach audiences with limited access to the arts.
