The Becket Athenaeum is one of 62 organizations nationwide selected to receive a 2024-2025 NEA Big Read grant. A grant of $6000 will support a community reading program focusing on The Bear by Andrew Krivak from September 2024 through May 2025. An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the power of a shared reading experience.

“The NEA Big Read brings the transformative experience of reading to an entire community,” said Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. “This year’s grantees, including The Becket Athenaeum, are taking themes off the page and using creative programming to navigate difficult topics, explore new perspectives, and strengthen bonds between neighbors.”

The Becket Athenaeum Big Read, the first-ever community read for the communities of Becket and Washington, will include several exciting programs and events for all ages. Every program is free and open to all. Because the beautiful and mysterious world where The Bear takes place can be perceived as a cautionary tale for our planet after the reign of humankind, the theme for The Becket Athenaeum Big Read is environmental awareness. Starting in September, the library will offer an exciting slate of programs with a focus on sustainability and reconnecting with our natural surroundings. The initiative will culminate in May with a visit from Andrew Krivak – the author of The Bear! Copies of The Bear are available for checkout at the Becket Athenaeum and digital copies are available with your library card through Libby.

 “One of the most exciting aspects of a community-wide read is the opportunity for the community’s organizations and businesses to bring their unique specialties to neighborly collaborations,” said Nicole Schulze, Executive Director of The Becket Athenaeum.

The Becket Athenaeum’s Big Read community partners include the Becket Arts Center, the Berkshire Environmental Action Team, Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee, Becket resident Tarcisio Ramos Dos Santos of the History Channel series “Alone,” the Washington Conservation Commission, the Becket Conservation Commission, local authors Lara Tupper and Elizabeth Heller, local artist Elizabeth Whyte Schulze, and more!

The library will kick off The Becket Athenaeum Big Read on Thursday, September 26th at 6pm at The Becket Athenaeum with a Climate Change Panel featuring Jane Winn - Executive Director of the Berkshire Environmental Action Team, Cindy Delpapa – local climate activist and former restoration ecologist, Meredyth Babcock – Outreach Coordinator at Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee, and Susan Purser – Coordinator of 350 MASS-Berkshires. These local leaders in climate organizations will be discussing climate disruption and environmental awareness and will take questions from the audience. To register for the Climate Change Panel, visit the library’s website at www.becketathenaeum.org.

For questions about The Becket Athenaeum Big Read, reserving a copy of The Bear, or using Libby to access digital copies, please reach out to the library at info@bwlibrary.org or 413-623-5483.