This week, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced that 26,320 schools and public libraries across the nation will receive Picturing America, a free initiative that helps teach American history and culture by bringing some of the country’s great art directly to classrooms and libraries. Information on specific local recipient schools and public libraries is available on the Picturing America Web site.

Awardees will receive 40 large, high-quality reproductions of great American art and a comprehensive teachers resource book to facilitate the use of the works of art in core subjects.

The NEH will offer Picturing America to more schools and libraries through a future enrollment opportunity beginning in August 2008. All eligible organizations in the U.S. and its territories that have not previously received Picturing America may apply for the program from August 4 through Oct. 31, 2008.

In addition to schools and libraries, through an interagency agreement, the NEH and the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Head Start will work together to make Picturing America available to the 20,000 Head Start centers around the nation. This partnership will provide for the development of materials to supplement Picturing America and ensure that the program will enhance early childhood development and family literacy.