Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL) will launch its NEA Big Read program celebrating Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel with a public kick-off on September 23, 2017 from 10am – 12pm at the Cleveland Public Library’s Carnegie West Branch. The NEA Big Read in Cleveland is presented in partnership with Cleveland Public Library<https://cpl.org/>, Great Lakes Theater<http://www.greatlakestheater.org/>, Lake Erie Ink<http://lakeerieink.org/>, and Literary Cleveland<http://www.litcleveland.org/>. Councilman Kerry McCormack will speak at 11:00a, so make sure you're there! Highlights of the kick-off event include live music performed by In2ative, an overview of public programming, and a reading from the novel. Attendees of the event will also have a chance to explore CAL’s interpretation of the book’s Museum of Civilization as well as pick up a free copy of the book (while supplies last). “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to once again partner with the NEA to bring the Big Read to Cleveland and help highlight the importance of literacy in our city,” said CAL Executive Director Marsha Dobrzynski. “Set in the Great Lakes region and filled with artistic themes – theater, classical music, and a graphic novel that gives the book its name – Station Elevenaligns well with CAL’s mission to ignite student learning, creativity, and success through the arts, making it the perfect choice for our read. We look forward to sharing this book and our programming with the entire community.” An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read<https://www.arts.gov/partnerships/nea-big-read> broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. One of 75 communities nationwide participating in the NEA Big Read this year, Cleveland will host its celebration of Station Eleven from September 23 – November 16, 2017. The full calendar of events<http://arts-inspiredlearning.org/NEABigRead2017> includes book discussions, creative writing workshops, and graphic novel workshops – for both adults and teens – hosted by Lake Erie Ink and Literary Cleveland at local Cleveland Public Library branches, plus several other locations including Loganberry Books and Happy Dog at the Euclid Tavern. In addition to the public programming, CAL’s NEA Big Read grant also supports in-school programming, through which Great Lakes Theater will engage over 400 high school students in week-long Shakespeare residencies at Facing History New Tech High School and Garrett Morgan School of Science High School. Both schools will hold in-school kick-off events for their students. Details about the kick-off or other Big Read events can be found on our website: https://arts-inspiredlearning.org/NEABigRead2017/ or by contacting CAL’s Special Projects Manager Megan Thompson at megan@arts-inspiredlearning.org<mailto:megan@arts-inspiredlearning.org>. NEA Big Read 2017 | Center for Arts-Inspired Learning<https://arts-inspiredlearning.org/NEABigRead2017/> arts-inspiredlearning.org NEA Big Read 2017 Center for Arts-Inspired Learning is please to announce our 2017 NEA Big Read book selection: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel