“ The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment.
The Big Read 2009
In Fall 2009, the Division of Arts and Humanities partnered with the National Endowment for the Arts to sponsor the first Big Read at Austin Community College. The event focused on the book Sun, Stone and Shadows: 20 Great Mexican Short Stories featuring works by Hispanic literary masters including Carlos Fuentes, Octavio Paz and Rosario Castellanos. From Mexican Independence Day on Sep. 16 to Dia de los Muertos on Nov. 1, hundreds of artists, writers, musicians, students, teachers, and community leaders gathered to celebrate Mexico's rich and unique heritage.
The Arts and Humanities Division is pleased to continue the Big Read program in 2010, now featuring the novel In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. For more information about this year's Big Read, visit the "Events" link at the top of this page.
For more images of last year's Big Read events please check out:
http://www.flikr.com/photos/austinbigread.