Boone County, KY — Boone County Public Library is pleased to announce it is the recipient of a grant
from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for Celebrating America250: Arts Projects Honoring the
National Garden of American Heroes. A grant of $25,000 will support outdoor mural wall panels featuring
individuals who became American trailblazers through their words, actions and advocacy.
NEA Senior Advisor Mary Anne Carter said, “As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the
National Endowment for the Arts is honored to support communities across the country in recognizing
the individuals whose contributions have defined our history. Boone County Public Library’s project in
Boone County plays a significant role in commemorating these heroes’ legacies while affirming the
enduring role of the arts in shaping America’s future.”
“Libraries are places where stories are preserved, shared and brought to life,” said Julie Althaver, Grant
Writer for Boone County Public Library. “This project allows us to take history beyond our walls and into
the community, using public art to honor American heroes while inviting reflection, learning and
conversation as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary.”
Project Description
Through this grant, BCPL proposes a project titled In Words We Rise: Celebrating American Trailblazers.
This project consists of an outdoor exhibit at the Main Library featuring eight mural wall panels
measuring 8′ x 16′ each. Each mural panel will showcase three images of individuals identified as
American heroes by Executive Order 13934 and will be securely anchored to the building. The
individuals chosen for this exhibit have ties to Kentucky or have advanced freedom, justice, and equality
through the power of their words.
The NEA was named as a key partner in President Trump’s “Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday”
Executive Order, which calls for the establishment of the National Garden of American Heroes. The
National Endowment for the Humanities is supporting the design and creation of the statues that will
make up the National Garden. The 50 NEA-supported Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of
American Heroes will honor these individuals through a variety of artistic disciplines.
For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.