New York, New York, January 16, 2020—The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced yesterday awards totaling more than $27 million in its first funding round of fiscal year 2020, including an Art Works award to Words Without Borders to support its flagship online magazine of international literature, education programs, and events.

The Art Works funding category supports projects that focus on public engagement with, and access to, various forms of excellent art across the nation; the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence; learning in the arts at all stages of life; and the integration of the arts into the fabric of community life.

NEA Acting Chairman Mary Ann Carter said:

“The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support grants throughout the entire country that connect people through shared experiences and artistic expression . . . These projects provide access to the arts for people of all abilities and backgrounds in both urban centers and rural communities.”

“As we work to expand access to—and engagement with—vital international literature, we are grateful for the NEA's renewed support this year,” said WWB executive director Karen M. Phillips. “This grant will help us keep our programs free and accessible to readers everywhere, while supporting the invaluable work of our writers and translators.”  

With the support of the NEA, Words Without Borders will publish issues of its digital magazine of literature in translation featuring new writing from Cabo Verde, Mauritania, and Malaysia, as well as Urdu feminist writing and literature from American Indigenous writers. Its online education program, WWB Campus, will expand to offer students and educators access to more eye-opening world literature and curricular resources, as well as professional development workshops to help educators bring international literature into the classroom. The organization will continue to hold free and public readings and discussions with international writers and translators in New York City.

For more information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.

WORDS WITHOUT BORDERS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that fosters cultural understanding through the translation, publication, and promotion of international literature. To date WWB has translated over 2,500 pieces of literature from 137 countries and 116 languages. WWB Campus is an online education initiative designed to connect students and their educators with international writing.

For additional information, please contact:
Contact: Susannah Greenblatt
Email Address: press@wordswithoutborders.org
Website Address: www.wordswithoutborders.org
Twitter: @wwborders