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NEA's Big Read

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Eastern’s Big Read, 2024

Andrew Krivak, The Bear

We aim to connect literature and artistic creation to the environment, challenging participants to imagine a future that is sustainable. We aim to connect Eastern students and members of the public to our natural surroundings, helping to promote belonging in our region. Our program is rooted in the belief that the arts, humanities and sciences each offer unique perspectives that, when combined, let us understand the fragility of human life and create a powerful force to address environmental issues and imagine an alternative future. In addition to outdoor activities public events include creative writing workshops and author talks.

Eastern Connecticut State University, Connecticut’s public liberal arts university, will partner with Mansfield Public Library, Willimantic Public Library, Windham Public Schools, and regional environmental nonprofit organizations including The Last Green Valley to distribute books and host innovative programming surrounding The Bear. Incorporating the setting and themes of the book, our emphasis will be on the environmental aspects and exploring alternative realities of the theme, Where We Live. Programming will include a public kick-off event, book discussions hosted by libraries, schools, and environmental organizations, creative writing workshops with students of all ages, expert led guided nature walks, planetarium presentations, a gallery exhibit and a site-specific sculptural exhibition. We hope to conclude with an Earth Day Celebration featuring a keynote by author Andrew Krivak.

National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Managed by Arts Midwest arts.gov/neabigread Institute for Sustainability
NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.