FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2008

Application Deadline for Picturing America Extended Until November 14

Libraries and Schools Encouraged to Apply to Bring
Great American Art to the Nation’s Classrooms and Libraries

Washington, DC—Libraries and schools now have until November 14, 2008, to apply for an innovative, free teaching tool called Picturing America. Picturing America, presented by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), provides high-quality reproductions of great American art to public libraries and K-12 schools to enhance the study of history, social studies, language arts, literature, and civics.

“Art has so much to teach us about America’s past, present, and future,” said Anne-Imelda Radice, IMLS Director. “Picturing America allows everyone, regardless of their location or income, to explore America through the lens of our nation’s great works of art.”

“I am delighted to announce that we are again accepting Picturing America applications,” said NEH Chairman Bruce Cole. “The Endowment wants every school and public library in the United States to receive Picturing America, and this second application period will bring us closer to achieving that goal.”

Public libraries; K-12 public, private, parochial, and charter schools; and home school consortia in the United States and its territories are eligible to receive Picturing America materials, which include:

• Forty large, high-quality color reproductions of the selected masterpieces (24” x 36”)
• A comprehensive teacher’s resource book providing a wide range of ideas and background information to support educators using the works of art in core subject areas
• Lesson plans and additional resources available through the Picturing America Web site, http://PicturingAmerica.neh.gov

Through this partnership, IMLS will help to build the capacity of public and school librarians to use the Picturing America materials in a variety of programs for the benefit of their communities.

Applications are being accepted now through November 14, 2008, with delivery scheduled for spring 2009. Previous recipients of the Picturing America collection are not eligible for a second award. Application information and testimonials from librarians and educators at can be found on the Picturing America Web site, http://PicturingAmerica.neh.gov. Library districts and school libraries may apply for every institution in their jurisdiction with one, single application.

So far, 26,320 public libraries and schools across the nation have been awarded Picturing America materials. To view the list of recipient schools and libraries, please click here. In addition, the NEH and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families are making Picturing America available to the 20,000 Head Start centers to enhance early childhood development and family literacy. This is independent of the current application period; Head Start centers should not submit applications.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.

About the National Endowment for the Humanities
Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports learning in history, literature, philosophy and other areas of the humanities. NEH grants enrich classroom learning, create and preserve knowledge, and bring ideas to life through public television, radio, new technologies, exhibitions, and programs in libraries, museums, and other community places. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at www.neh.gov.