News

2014 National Book Festival poster

NEA Literature Fellows Take Center Stage

August 5, 2014
Washington, D.C. – A new location, new conversations, and a new poetry slam are in the lineup for this year’s Poetry & Prose Pavilion at the National Book Festival. For the first time, the Poetry & Prose Pavilion will host two panel discussions about the art of...
Medal of Arts

President Obama to Award 2013 National Medals of Arts

July 22, 2014
Washington, DC — President Barack Obama will present the National Medals of Arts in conjunction with the National Humanities Medals on Monday, July 28, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. ET, in an East Room ceremony at the White House. First Lady Michelle Obama will attend. The event will be...
art on side of silo

National Council on the Arts Meets in Washington, DC and via Live Webcast

June 23, 2014
Washington, DC —The National Endowment for the Arts will host a meeting of its advisory body, the National Council on the Arts, on Friday, June 27, 2014, at its new headquarters in the Constitution Center, 400 7th St. SW. The meeting will be in conference rooms A-C on the plaza...
Amy Stolls

NEA Selects Amy Stolls as Director of Literature

June 18, 2014
The National Endowment for the Arts is pleased to announce that Amy Stolls has been appointed director of literature. Since May 2013, Stolls has served as acting director of literature. She will continue to oversee the NEA's grant awards in literature, which includes grants...
Ruby Dee on her couch holding up a copy of Ernest Gaines A Lesson Before Dying

NEA Statement on the Death of Ruby Dee

June 13, 2014
It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of film legend and 1995 National Medal of Arts recipient Ruby Dee. Actress and civil rights activist, Dee was a strong advocate for African-American actors and film crews, often taking...
Photo of Jane Chu

Jane Chu Confirmed as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts

June 12, 2014
This afternoon, the United States Senate voted to confirm Jane Chu as the 11th chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. The White House is expected to make the official appointment in the coming days and Chu will begin her appointment shortly thereafter. Senior Deputy...
poetry on barn side

Statement on the Death of Maya Angelou

May 28, 2014
It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of Maya Angelou. A poet, actress, activist, and teacher, Ms. Angelou was awarded a 2000 National Medal of Arts by President Bill Clinton. Many will speak of Maya Angelou's...

Final Contest for the Title of National Poetry Out Loud Champion on April 30, 2014

April 30, 2014
WHAT: Nine student finalists representing high schools from Idaho, Louisiana, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Washington State, and West Virginia match their skills in reciting classic and contemporary poetry in a contest for the title of National Poetry Out Loud...

Poetry Out Loud 2014 National Finals

April 24, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC –On Tuesday, April 29, 53 high school students who advanced from poetry recitation competitions in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will gather at Lisner Auditorium to match their skills in reciting classic and...
A teaching artist works with three students learning the violin.

National Endowment for the Arts to Award More Than $74 Million to U.S. Nonprofits

April 16, 2014
Washington, DC — National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa announced today that the NEA plans to award $74.85 million in 971 grants to nonprofit organizations nationwide as part of the second half of its fiscal year 2014 funding. In addition to direct...

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