New York, NY (May 15, 2019)— The Academy of American Poets is pleased to announce that it has been awarded an $80,000 Art Works grant, the largest in the literature category, from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This is one of 977 grants awarded by the NEA totalling $80 million approved by the NEA’s Acting Chairman Mary Anne Carter. It 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.
“These awards, reaching every corner of the United States, are a testament to the artistic richness and diversity in our country,” said Mary Anne Carter, acting chairman of the NEA. “Organizations such as the Academy of American Poets are giving people in their community the opportunity to learn, create, and be inspired.”
“The Academy of American Poets has worked with and benefited from the NEA since this important agency began in 1965. We’re proud to have the NEA’s continued and generous support and stamp of approval as we make poetry available to an increasing audience. We’re grateful to Amy Stolls, Director of Literature at the NEA, for her guidance and leadership," 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 40 million individuals, made possible by contributions from individuals and public support.
For more information please visit arts.gov/news.
About the Academy of American Poets
The Academy of American Poets is our nation’s leading champion of poets and poetry. The organization produces Poets.org, the world’s largest publicly-funded website for poets and poetry; National Poetry Month; the popular Poem-a-Day series; American Poets magazine; Teach This Poem and other resources for K-12 educators; an annual series of poetry readings and special events; and awards more funds to poets than any other organization. It also coordinates the work of a national Poetry Coalition working to promote the value poets bring to our culture and the important contribution poetry makes in the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds.
