The Big Read, a Big Year, at Art House

As a recipient of the NEA Big Read Program award, this project has loomed large on Art House’s calendar. It has broadened our reach. Added to our regular programming, we have collaborated with numerous organizations to hold workshops, discussions, and events. Concurrently, our Urban Bright Arts-in-Education residency keeps growing as more schools request programming. Other agencies also have contacted us for workshops. We are looking forward to a third year of doing summer camps at Art House and providing more workshops for schools, recreation centers, and other agencies.

Early 2022 also included several Community Cafés for feedback and engagement regarding our Creative Garden vision. The space will be under construction by July for the green infrastructure portion of the project. Last but not least, Art House and five other neighborhood organizations worked with a consultant to find ways to support each other.

All of these moving parts began to come into play as new staff members came on board. They had to hit the ground running—and they haven’t stopped. They have flexed and stretched to meet and exceed expectations. We have all been working closely together, making Art House that much stronger. It has been an amazing year, made all the more exciting because of them. Go team go!