The Fort Report Column

Picturing America

Through a new educational program called “Picturing America,” Nebraska K-12 schools are now able to teach American history and culture with rare access to a masterpiece collection of classic American artwork.  

Picturing America, an initiative co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association, offers students a deeper understanding of our nation’s history and heritage through the arts, including paintings, sculpture, architecture and photography.  Its supporters believe students and teachers alike will find that “great art speaks powerfully, inspires fresh thinking, and connects us to our past.”

Public libraries and K-12 schools are eligible to apply for Picturing America, including parochial schools and home school consortiums.  In 2008, there were 173 award recipients in Nebraska. 

One of those recipients, Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk, will receive its artwork this Fall.  Teachers are planning to use the numerous exhibits to inspire the work of students in advanced writing classes, American history, and the arts.

Lutheran High, like the other schools awarded, will receive up to 40 high-quality reproductions of notable American art, ranging from Norman Rockwell’s iconic “Freedom of Speech” painting to N.C. Wyeth’s cover illustration of the American literary classic Last of the Mohicans and Alex Gardner’s famous photograph portrait of a war-weary President Abraham Lincoln.  

In addition to the artwork, the schools will receive an illustrated Teachers Resource Book, with activities organized by elementary, middle and high school levels. The resource book will help K-12 teachers use the images to teach core curriculum subjects.  Teachers will also have access to the Picturing America website, which contains additional information and resources, including innovative lesson plans.

Applications for the 2009 term are being accepted currently till October 31, 2008. Apply online at http://picturingamerica.neh.gov, and direct any questions to the American Library Association at 1-800-545-2433 or the National Endowment for the Humanities at 202-606-8337. 

Picturing America is a wonderful opportunity to enhance the educational experience.  Encourage your community school or library to consider applying.   

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