National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Opens Applications with New Sports Theme

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), in partnership with Arts Midwest, has opened applications for its Big Read grants for the upcoming cycle, which will run from September 2027 through June 2028. The new theme for this cycle is “Read Like a Champion: Celebrating Great American Sports Stories.” The program aims to support community-wide reading initiatives that focus on books exploring the world of sports and their impact on American culture.

The Big Read initiative is designed to encourage communities to come together through literature. Each participating community selects one book from a curated list and organizes a series of events and activities around it. For this cycle, there are 18 books available for selection. These books address themes such as competition, teamwork, perseverance, resilience, self-discovery, well-being, and the ways in which sports can unite people.

Eligible organizations for the Big Read grants include first-time applicants, as well as those serving communities of all sizes, whether rural or urban. Organizations with small, medium, or large operating budgets are all encouraged to apply. The grants are matching grants, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 for each recipient.

Applicants are required to collaborate with a range of partners to deliver their programming. If the applicant is not a library, they must partner with a community library. The goal is to ensure that the events and activities reach and engage the entire community, fostering a shared experience around the selected book and its themes.

Programming supported by the Big Read grants can include book discussions, writing workshops, and other creative activities. These activities are intended to examine the role sports play in people’s lives and how sports both influence and reflect American culture. The programming is flexible, allowing communities to tailor their events to local interests and needs.

The deadline for submitting an Intent to Apply is January 12, 2027. To assist applicants, Arts Midwest has developed a series of resources, including frequently asked questions, tips for linking programming to sports, and guidance on federal award requirements, budgeting, and reporting. These resources are intended to help organizations navigate the application process and successfully implement their programs.

Arts Midwest, as a regional partner of the NEA, supports creativity and community engagement across several Midwestern states and Native Nations. The partnership between the NEA and Arts Midwest aims to strengthen the cultural impact of the Big Read program by connecting literature with the narratives and values found in sports. The NEA emphasizes that both the arts and sports are powerful expressions of culture, bringing people together and highlighting the importance of creativity, determination, and teamwork.