The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County (PLYMC) with LitYoungstown received a grant of $15,000 to host the NEA Big Read in Mahoning County. An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. The Grant to PLYMC with LitYoungstown is one of 78 given to nonprofits by NEA Big Read to host a community reading program between September 2019 and June 2020. The NEA Big Read in Mahoning County will focus on “Into the Beautiful North” by Luis Alberto Urrea, who will make appearances in Mahoning County in October. The community will be encouraged to read “Into the Beautiful North” at that time.
Aimee Fifarek, PLYMC Executive Director, said, “We are very excited to have received a grant for an NEA Big Read in our community. What a wonderful opportunity to bring a love of reading to our area along with LitYoungstown. We are very happy that the grant will enable us to bring noted author Luis Alberto Urrea to Mahoning County this fall. We hope the community will join us to celebrate reading, thanks to this NEA Big Read grant.”
“It is inspiring to see both large and small communities across the nation come together around a book,” said National Endowment for the Arts Acting Chairman Mary Anne Carter. “We always look forward to the unique ways cities, towns, and organizations, like the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County and Lit Youngstown, explore these stories and encourage community participation in a wide variety of events.”
The NEA Big Read showcases a diverse range of titles that reflect many different voices and perspectives, aiming to inspire conversation and discovery. The main feature of the initiative is a grants program, managed by Arts Midwest, which annually supports dynamic community reading programs, each designed around a single National Endowment for the Arts Big Read selection.
Since 2006, the National Endowment for the Arts has funded more than 1,400 NEA Big Read programs, providing more than $20 million to organizations nationwide. In addition, Big Read activities have reached every Congressional district in the country. Over the past twelve years, grantees have leveraged more than $50 million in local funding to support their NEA Big Read programs. More than 5.7 million Americans have attended an NEA Big Read event, approximately 91,000 volunteers have participated at the local level, and 39,000 community organizations have partnered to make NEA Big Read activities possible. For more information about the NEA Big Read, please visit arts.gov/neabigread.
Here are the public programs related to The Big Read:
NEA Big Read- Luis Alberto Urrea, Author "Into the Beautiful North" Visits - In celebration of the NEA Big Read, join us on October 15 to welcome author Luis Alberto Urrea to Youngstown. Mr. Urrea will be at the Main Library, reading excerpts from the book, discussing, and answering questions about his novel "Into the Beautiful North." The night will culminate with a meet-and-greet, book-signing and reception, accompanied by music from the Labra Brothers. From Sept. 10-Oct. 30, our community celebrates his novel, “Into the Beautiful North,” with a full calendar of community-wide events involving many partner organizations, nonprofits, and schools throughout Youngstown and Mahoning County. For more information, or to register for any of the NEA Big Read events, go to https://www.libraryvisit.org/big-read/ or call 330-744-8636, ext. 50066. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. About the author: http://luisurrea.com/about/ Main Library, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown, 5 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 15
NEA Big Read - "Into the Beautiful North" Poetry Contest - During the month of Ocober., Project LIT Youngstown students will host a poetry contest for tweens and teens in grades 7-12. Please submit any form of poetry inspired by our NEA Big Read selection, "Into the Beautiful North" by Luis Alberto Urrea, to the library by Oct. 26. Winners will be notified by Nov. 1. Please include name, phone number, and grade on your submission. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. For teens and tweens. Newport Library, Library Hours, Oct. 1-26
NEA Big Read - "Meet Your Neighbors" Social Media Project- If you loved the journey in "Into the Beautiful North" by Luis Alberto Urrea, check out the personal journeys of immigrants to Youngstown. Provided by OCCHA (Organización Cívica y Cultural Hispana Americana, Inc.), get to know your new neighbors by reading their stories and testimonials, learn what inspired them to move to the Mahoning Valley, and why they call Youngstown home. Stories available on the OCCHA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/occhaohio/. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Social Media Program on FaceBook, Month of October
NEA Big Read Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration- YSU Kilcawley - Join the Library, Lit Youngstown, OCCHA, and the YSU Latino Student Organization for the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. There will be performers, dancers, music and other vendors. Learn about Hispanic heritage in preparation for the Oct. 15 visit of our Big Read author, Luis Alberto Urrea. Open to the public. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. For adults and teens. Kilcawley Center, Youngstown State University, One University Plaza, Youngstown, 12 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 12
Fall Literary Festival Celebrates the NEA Big Read- Hilton Doubletree - Join Lit Youngstown and the Library for the Fall Literary Festival in the lovely DoubleTree by Hilton Lounge downtown Youngstown. The winners of Lit Youngstown's "3-Minute Fiction" will be announced, and author George Ella Lyon will do a reading inspired by the Big Read's "Into the Beautiful North" by Luis Alberto Urrea, on cultural identity. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. For adults and teens. DoubleTree by Hilton, Second Floor Lounge, 44 E. Federal Plaza, Youngstown, 7 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 5
NEA Big Read - Hands-on Cooking Demonstration - Get a taste of the flavor in our NEA Big Read book selection "Into the Beautiful North" by Luis Alberto Urrea. Join the Library and other community friends for a hands-on cooking demonstration (and eating) of sopes, a traditional Mexican dish made of thick corn cake that you can top with whatever ingredients you like! Free and open to the public, fun and tasty for people of all ages. Please register via the online calendar or by calling 330-744-8636. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. For adults and teens. Casa Ramirez, 1578 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown, 6:30 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 7
Movie Night: NEA Big Read Film Series- As a tribute to our NEA Big Read title by Luis Alberto Urrea, “Into the Beautiful North,” join us for a viewing of a "magnificent" classic western starring Yul Brynner. Can you guess which one? YSU Film Scholar Dr. Laura Beadling will introduce and discuss the film afterward. Refreshments will be provided. For all ages. Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Movie is PG-13. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Main Library, 6 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 3
Movie Night: NEA Big Read Film Series- - As a tribute to our NEA Big Read title by Luis Alberto Urrea, “Into the Beautiful North,” join us for a viewing of an inspiring movie starring Edward James Olmos as an inner-city teacher that will make you want to "stand" to your feet and cheer! Can you guess which one? A Film Scholar will introduce and discuss the film afterward. Refreshments will be provided. For all ages. Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Movie is PG. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. For adults and teens. Main Library, 6 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 9
Movie Night: NEA Big Read Film Series- - As a tribute to our NEA Big Read title by Luis Alberto Urrea, “Into the Beautiful North,” join us for a viewing of a documentary illuminating the history of Latinos on the Big Screen! YSU Film Scholar Dr. Laura Beadling will introduce and discuss the film afterward. Refreshments will be provided. This film is not rated. Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. For adults and teens. Main Library, 6 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 17
NEA Big Read - Off the Shelves Book Club - Welcome to our monthly book club for a lively discussion of titles chosen "Off the Shelves" of the Canfield Library's Book Club room. Come and join the fun with these upcoming reads, at either our morning or evening session, or come to both! For adults.
October: “Into the Beautiful North” by Luis Alberto Urrea-our NEA Big Read selection. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
November: "Tattooist of Auschwitz" by Heather Morris
Canfield Library, 11 a.m. on Thurs., Oct. 24
Canfield Library, 6:30 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 29
NEA Big Read - Saturday Movie Matinee - Join us to celebrate the NEA Big Read with our favorite child musician as he journeys to the land of the dead to learn of his Spanish heritage. Bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy during the movie. Movie will be a newly released DVD rated PG-13 to G. Children age 7 years and younger must be with an adult. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. For the entire family. Newport Library, 1:30 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 12
NEA Big Read - Spanish Saturday Movie Matinee - Join us for a Saturday Movie Matinee in Spanish, celebrating the NEA Big Read, with our favorite child musician as he journeys to the land of the dead to learn of his Spanish heritage. Bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy during the movie! Movie will be a newly released DVD rated PG-13 to G. Children age 7 years and younger must be with an Adult. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
Únase con nosotros en un sábado de matiné para ver una película en español, celebrando la NEA Big Read, con nuestro músico infantil favorito mientras viaja a la tierra de los muertos para conocer su herencia española. ¡Trae sus propios bocadillos y bebidas para disfrutar durante la película! La película será un DVD recientemente lanzado con clasificación PG-13 a G. Los niños de 7 años y menores deben estar con un adulto. NEA Big Read es una iniciativa de National Endowment for the Arts en asociación con Arts Midwest.
East Library, 2 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 26
The NEA Big Read "Crossings" Art Exhibit & Opening - The YSU Art Department and YSU Maag Library will collaborate with the Library and Lit Youngstown to provide "Crossings." In conjunction with the NEA Big Read events and in response to Luis Alberto Urrea's novel "Into the Beautiful North," YSU art students will have artwork on display at YSU Maag Library from Oct. 10-27. The Opening Reception will take place on Thurs., Oct. 10, from 5-7 p.m. at Maag Library, 3rd floor. The students' artwork, by utilizing and exploring a range of media and processes, will respond to the book through unique interpretations of themes ranging from personal to political. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. For adults and teens.
Maag Library, One University Plaza, Youngstown
Opening Reception, 5 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 10
Art Exhibit – Oct. 10-27
NEA Big Read - The Big Read Book Club - Open to the public, all are welcome to join the monthly Book Club at St. John's Episcopal Church to discuss the Big Read selection "Into the Beautiful North" by Luis Alberto Urrea. Meetings are usually in the parlor, served with refreshments. Adults only. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. For adults.
St. John's Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave., Youngstown, (next door to Main Library),
7 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 1
NEA Big Read - Velada Cultural - Join the Library, Lit Youngstown, OCCHA, and the YSU Latino Student Organization at the Hub in YSU's Kilcawley Center for a bohemian night of culture, including poetry, skits, and a Day of the Dead Alter. Inspired by the Big Read selection "Into the Beautiful North" by Luis Alberto Urrea. Open to the public. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
The Hub, Kilcawley Center, One University Plaza, Youngstown, 5 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 29
NEA Big Read - Youngstown City Schools Mural - Visual and Performing Arts students will participate in the NEA Big Read in collaboration with the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Visual art students in the three area high schools will participate in reading "Into the Beautiful North" by Luis Alberto Urrea, and from their reading will collaborate with their classmates to create a mural inspired by the story. The murals will then be on display at each of the high schools as well as at the Main Library during the month of October when the author makes a visit to the area. The project will coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month. For further information regarding YCSD Visual and Performing Arts or The Big Read mural project, contact Tracy Schuler Vivo, Director of VPA at 330-744-8830 or at Tracy.Schuler-Vivo@youngstown.k12.oh.us. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
Main Library, Library Hours, October
NEA Big Read - Feliz Dia de los Muertos! - Celebramos el Dia de los Muertos! Join us in a celebration of Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead). Snack on traditional food as you play games and make crafts. Costumes and dress-up are encouraged! For the whole family. In honor of the Big Read selection, "Into the Beautiful North" by Luis Urrea. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Holiday program.
Main Library, 2 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 26
NEA Big Read- Staged Reading of "Into the Beautiful North" - Join us at the Youngstown Playhouse for a free staged reading, arranged by Director Denise Sculli, as she interprets our NEA Big Read selection "Into the Beautiful North" by Luis Alberto Urrea. The Playhouse has offered the use of the Moyer Room, a theater-in-the-round venue. The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
Youngstown Playhouse, 600 Playhouse Ln., Youngstown, 2:30 p.m. on Sun., Oct. 13
