Conducted in cooperation with the ALA Public Programs Office, Picturing America is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) designed to bring masterpieces of American art into classrooms and libraries nationwide. Through this innovative program, students and citizens will gain a deeper appreciation of our country's history and character through the study and understanding of its art. Picturing America provides public libraries and schools (K–12, public, private, parochial, charter, and home school consortia) with a collection of 20 double-sided, laminated posters (24" x 36") depicting works of American art, related reading lists, and a 100-page resource booklet with information about the paintings, sculpture, architecture, and crafts reproduced.
In May 2007, the Picturing America pilot program awardees were announced. More than 1,500 schools received the collection for the January 2008 program launch.
In May 2008, 26,300 schools and public libraries were selected to receive the first round of the award, which will ship in September 2008.
Schools and public libraries are invited to apply online for the second round of Picturing America, which will ship in March 2009. Applications will be accepted online [link] beginning August 4, 2008, with a deadline of October 31, 2008. The images in the Picturing America collection will remain the same; eligible institutions which applied during the first round will receive their Picturing America awards in fall 2008 and will not be eligible for a second award.
Find out more about Picturing America, including the artwork featured.