May 12, 2021 (New York, NY)— The Academy of American Poets is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $75,000 Grant for Arts Projects in the literature category from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the largest of 74 grants in this category. In total, NEA Acting Chairman Ann Eilers has approved more than $88 million in grants as part of the NEA’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2021. The grant will provide critical support to Poets.org, Poem-a-Day, National Poetry Month, and the other free programs and publications the organization produces for poets, readers, and educators in all 50 states.
“As the country and the arts sector begin to imagine returning to a post-pandemic world, the National Endowment for the Arts is proud to announce funding that will help arts organizations such as the Academy of American Poets re-engage fully with partners and audiences,” said NEA Acting Chairman Ann Eilers. “Although the arts have sustained many during the pandemic, the chance to gather with one another and share arts experiences is its own necessity and pleasure.”
“We’re grateful to the National Endowment for the Arts for being one of the largest supporters of literary organizations and writers in our nation. In addition to much-needed funds, the NEA’s validation of our programs is deeply meaningful. Thanks to Amy Stolls, Director of Literary Arts at the NEA, for her continued dedication to advancing literary culture," said Jennifer Benka, executive director of the Academy of American Poets.
Last year, Poets.org, Poem-a-Day, and National Poetry Month, which the Academy of American Poets originated in 1996 and continues to organize, reached more than tens of millions of readers, made possible by contributions from individuals and public support.
For more information on this National Endowment for the Arts grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.
About the Academy of American Poets
Founded in 1934, the Academy of American Poets is the nation’s leading champion of poets and poetry with supporters in all fifty states. The Academy annually awards more funds to individual poets than any other organization through its prize program, giving a total of $1.25 million to more than 200 poets at various stages of their careers. The Academy also produces Poets.org, the world’s largest publicly-funded website for poets and poetry; originated and organizes National Poetry Month; publishes the popular Poem-a-Day series and American Poets magazine; provides award-winning resources to K–12 educators, including the Teach This Poem series; hosts an annual series of poetry readings and special events; and coordinates a national Poetry Coalition working together to promote the value poets bring to the country’s culture.