Programming Librarian

talented teen members of the Evanston Dance Ensemble performed at the Skokie (Ill.) Public Library

Ruth Sinker for Skokie Public Library

National Arts and Humanities Month

In 2009, President Obama named October National Arts and Humanities Month. Across the country, people gather together throughout the month to celebrate the arts and discuss the future of American culture.

In his official proclamation, the president said, “It is the painter, the author, the musician, and the historian whose work inspires us to action, drives us to contemplation, stirs joy in our hearts, and calls upon us to consider our world anew. The arts and humanities contribute to the vibrancy of our society and the strength of our democracy, and during National Arts and Humanities Month, we recommit ourselves to ensuring all Americans can access and enjoy them.”

Featured Events

• In New York, the Poet’s House (a library with a collection of more than 50,000 volumes of poetry) invited several poets, both local and international, to come discuss their art. These talks ranged from Brazilian poet Regis Bonvincio speaking about contemporary South American poetry, to scholar John Festiner, who gave a presentation on how poetry (starting with the Psalms and continuing through the centuries) could help save our world.
• Several branches of the Los Angeles Public Library played host to the LA Opera Company. Among the nine libraries selected, the Porter Ranch branch welcomed Rose Vardanian to speak about Wagner’s Siegfried, and Joann Porter Toll came to the Burbanks branch to discuss Handel’s Tamerlano. Each event was followed by a discussion over pastries and coffee.
• The Blake Library in Stuart, Florida, presented the independent film Pants On Fire as part of its Southern Circuit Filmmakers series, a program put on in association with The Arts Council of Stuart. The screening was followed by a discussion with the producer/director Colin Campbell.
• As a partner in the Brattleboro Literary Festival, Brooks Memorial Library in Vermont sponsored several programs presented by published writers and poets, including Pulitzer Prize winner David Hackett Fischer. Other hosts include the scientists Hannah Holmes and Irene Pepperburg as well as a biographer of Gerard Manley Hopkins, Paul Mariani.

Other Resources

• The Americans for the Arts website has many useful links and ideas. Of special significance is its map of events happening around the country and list of 101 Things You Can Do to Celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month.
• Visit the National Arts and Humanities Month’s Facebook page.
• The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies has several useful links, including draft proclamation letters and publicity kits.

Share Your Thoughts