FARMINGTON — The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman, Rocco Landesman, today announced that Alice James Books will receive a $24,000 Art Works grant to support the publication, promotion, and distribution of six books of poetry in 2012.
A total of 863 organizations received grant awards for 2012, amounting to $22.5 million in funds granted, encompassing 15 artistic disciplines and fields, and supporting projects in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Alice James Books is dedicated to seeking out and publishing the best contemporary poetry by both established and emerging poets with a particular emphasis on involving poets in the publishing process. The press publishes at least six books a year, which are mainly chosen by the cooperative board through annual manuscript competitions and query periods.
“Art Works is the guiding principle at the NEA,” said agency Chairman Rocco Landesman. “And I’m pleased to see that principle represented through the 823 Art Works-funded projects included in this announcement. These projects demonstrate the imaginative and innovative capacities of artists and arts organizations to enhance the quality of life in their communities.”
Carey Salerno, Executive Director of Alice James Books, remarks, “We are grateful for the NEA’s generosity and recognition this year. The press is looking forward to publishing collections by our 2012 poets and translators, including Stephen Motika, Matthew Pennock, Jane Springer, Jean Valentine and Ilya Kaminsky, and Donald Revell. This $24,000 grant will bring great poetry to our local and national communities. We’re thankful for the NEA’s continued confidence in Alice James Books.”
In March 2011, the NEA received 1,686 eligible applications for Art Works requesting more than $84 million in funding. The resulting funding rate of 49 percent of eligible applications reflects both the significant demand for support and the ongoing vitality of the not-for-profit arts community despite current financial challenges. Art Works grants are awarded based on the applications received by the NEA and how those applications are assessed by the review panels.
For a complete listing of projects recommended for Art Works grant support, please visit the NEA web site at arts.gov.
