Programs & Projects
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Harper Lee wrote only one
book, the international bestseller
To Kill a Mockingbird, in 1960. |
MPT's BIG READ in Baltimore
EVENTS | CALENDAR | PARTNER WEB SITES
When was the last time you read the great American classic, To Kill a Mockingbird? Have you ever read it? Here's your chance to explore this great and still extremely relevant novel, whether you're 12 years old or 92!
To Kill a Mockingbird is a renowned American novel that has a rare quality: it can be discovered with excitement in adolescence and re-read into adulthood without fear of disappointment. A great book combines enlightenment with enchantment. It awakens our imagination and enlarges our humanity.
You can celebrate Harper Lee's literary achievement during a month-long celebration in March 2007 which is called The Big Read and is sponsored by Maryland Public Television (MPT). During The Big Read, 2,000 copies of the book will be given away to interested children and adults, and there will be art and writing competitions, gallery exhibits, luncheons, free films and panel discussions. Please support The Big Read by reading the book and participating in the activities!
Mill Valley community will come together to read and celebrate To Kill a Mockingbird
Maryland Public Television (MPT) will launch its month-long Big Read program in celebration of To Kill a Mockingbird with inspiring events, from art exhibits and writing competitions to luncheons, panel discussions and book giveaways, on March 1, 2007. The Big Read in Baltimore's Mill Valley communities is presented in partnership with a number of local organizations, including the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Senator Theatre and Community Learning for Life Program.
The March 1 kickoff event will feature a celebration at the Pratt Library's Hampden branch, followed by free To Kill a Mockingbird film screenings March 2, with reading marathons, a Southern culture exhibit, and book cover and writing contests to follow in the Mill Valley community (Peabody Heights, Remington, Stone Hill, Hampden, Wyman Park, Medfield and Woodberry).
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents the Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment.
MPT is one of 72 organizations and communities nationwide selected to receive an NEA Big Read grant.
Information about the Big Read can be found by contacting MPT's Community Partners:
The Mill Valley Cultural Arts Umbrella, The Alternative School (formally CLLP), Academy for College and Career Exploration School, Enoch Pratt Library-Hampden Branch, Passion Fish Gallery, Antreasian Gallery, Action In Maturity, Remington Neighborhood Alliance, The Green Mount School, Saint Thomas Aquinas School, Hampden Methodist Church, Rotunda Theater, Breathe Books, Salamander Books and David's Restaurant. And look for posters announcing the Big Read in the Mill Valley.
Events
Maryland Public Television is conjunction with Mill Valley community partners will host the following events and activities. Except for events noted, events are open to the public. See contest rules for selected events concerning participation and eligibility criteria.
Maryland Public Television and MPT Foundation will be giving away free copies of the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, starting January, 2007. Look for free books distribution centers at partner locations or where signs displaying the Big Read are posted. Participating community organizations will also have free books to give out to the community and their members.
- Kick-off event to be hosted by MPT and the Enoch Pratt Free Library-Hampden Branch from 12 noon to 1:00 on Thursday, March 1, 2007. Event to kick off the Big Read Month of March. Event to be held outside of the library. Local politicians and MPT representatives kick off the event. Information about events, free books and application forms for competition events will be made available. Open to the public. 3641 Falls Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21211
- Film screenings of the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, to be held at the Rotunda Theater on March 2, 2007. This is an invitation only event for area school children. The movie will be shown and discussed. Rotunda Shopping Center, 40th Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21211
- Passion Fish Gallery presents art show competition: Art of Intolerance and Prejudice. Highlighted along the show will be a Southern-style food extravaganza. Show opens with prize winners announced on Saturday, March 3, 2007. Art show opens at 7:00 pm. Art representing ideas of prejudice and tolerance in our country will be shown. A call for artists for submission for this juried show begins February 8 and ends February 24, 2007. This competition allows writers in youth and adult categories to compete. Information about the juried show, prize categories and prize monies is available below, or at www.millvalleyarts.com and at stores displaying posters announcing the events. Tours and discussion are available by contacting Passion Fish Gallery. Show ends on March 25, 2007. No entry fee. 1129 West 36th Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21211
Art Show Competition Information and Entry Form (Adobe Acrobat .pdf)
- Antreasian Gallery opens the To Kill a Mockingbird Book Cover Art Competition with finalist's art exhibitions on March 4, 2007 at 7:00 pm. This month-long competition starts with a call for artists for the juried show in mid-January. The winners of this competition will be determined by the public voting on the finalist's juried submissions. This competition allows writers in youth and adult categories to compete. Information about the juried show, prize categories and prize monies are available at MPT's website, at www.millvalleyarts.com, www.antreasiangallery.com and at stores displaying posters announcing the events. Tours and discussions are available by contacting the Antreasian Gallery. Call for entries ends February 17, 2007. This competition has a $5 entry fee. Antreasian Gallery will announce winners on March 31, 2007 at a gallery event. 1111 West 36th Street, Baltimore, Maryland
Cover Art Competition Information and Entry Form (Adobe Acrobat .pdf)
- The Mill Valley Cultural Arts Umbrella Writing Competition starts taking submission for this juried competition in February, 2007. This competition allows writers in youth and adult categories to compete in writing about the book. Call for writers begins February 1 and ends March 9, 2007. Information about the juried show, prize categories and prize monies are available at MPT's website, at www.millvalleyarts.com , www.antreasiangallery.com and at stores displaying posters announcing the events. Local writers and playwrights will judge the writings. MVCAU will announce winners on March 31, 2007 at the Antreasian Gallery event. No entry fee.
Writing Competition Information and Entry Form (Adobe Acrobat .pdf)
- MPT/Action In Maturity's, The Big Read Luncheon March 14, 2007 at David's Restaurant. A local author with a film critic to discuss the book during lunch. Tickets for the event are through AIM. Limited seating. Contact AIM at 410-889-7921 for information. 3626-A Falls Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21211
- Breathe books hosts The Big Read Marathon Read on Saturday, March 17, 2007, from 11-3. Come and read, receive free copies of the book. All are welcome to come and read. Go to www.Breathebooks.com for further information. Free event. 810 West 36th Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21211
- MPT and ACCE present a panel discussion "Can This Man Get a Fair Trial." This event to be held on March 29, 2007 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm. A MPT moderator will host representatives from law enforcement, courts system, politicians and youth to discuss the book, "To Kill a Mockingbird" with specific relevance on how race impacts the criminal justice system- then and now.
Calendar of Events – March 2007
* Denotes a competition with cash price for youth and adult categories. Calendar subject to
change without notification.
MPT/The Big Read Partner Web Sites
Need more information?
Visit www.neabigread.org.
This event is part of The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.
