Connecting Communities Digital Initiative Announces Next Round of Award Opportunities for Libraries, Archives, Museums, Higher Education and Artists/Scholars in Residence
Individuals and educational and cultural institutions who seek to imaginatively remix and reuse the Library of Congress’ digital collections and create projects centering one or more of the following groups, Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander and/or other communities of color — are invited to apply to award opportunities through the Connecting Communities Digital Initiative.
The Connecting Communities Digital Initiative, part of the Library’s Of the People: Widening the Path initiative, focuses on the ways technology can enable storytelling and expose more people to the Library’s expanding digital collections.
The funding opportunities announced today include a program for Artists or Scholars in residence, Higher Education awards, and Libraries, Archives and Museums awards. The award amounts range from $70,000 to $90,000. The Higher Education and Libraries, Archives, and Museums award applications are now open and will be accepted through Sept. 7. Artist/Scholar in Residence applications will be accepted through Aug. 7.
Building on the previous award recipients, the initiative continues to create opportunities for the public to engage with the Library by developing creative takes on the digital collections. To see the past and current award recipients, visit https://www.loc.gov/programs/of-the-people/represent/
For more information on the Notices of Funding Opportunity and details on how to apply for the grants, visit loc.gov/of-the-people/apply.
Please find more details below. Interested applicants are invited to view pre-recorded informational webinars on each grant opportunity by visiting:
Additionally, potential applicants can join upcoming live Q&A sessions for each grant opportunity. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is required.
- ASR Q&A webinar: Thursday, June 1, 2023: 3-4 p.m. EST, noon PST (Registration link)
- HE Q&A webinar: Wednesday, June 7, 2023: 3-4 p.m. EST, noon PST (Registration link)
- LAMs Q&A webinar: Thursday, June 8, 2023: 3-4 p.m. EST, noon PST (Registration link)
Higher Education: In support of the Library’s digital strategy, this program will offer up to three awards to support students, faculty and staff in two-year and four-year minority-serving higher education institutions. The funds will support the creation of projects that facilitate teaching and learning with the Library’s digital collections for students, staff and/or community members and make significant and meaningful use of those digital materials. Projects must also center one or more of the following groups: Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander and/or other communities of color.
Library, Archives and Museums: In support of the Library’s digital strategy, this program will offer up to three awards to libraries, archives or museums. The funds will support the creation of projects that demonstrate experience working with the community or group on which the project is centered and that makes significant and meaningful uses of the Library’s digital materials. Projects must also center one or more of the following groups: Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander and/or other communities of color.
Artist or Scholar in Residence program: In support of the Library’s digital strategy, this program will offer up to two Residence awards and will be supported with $90,000 for a one-year residency. The funds will support artists and/or scholars to undertake projects connecting their own expertise and research interests in technology with one or more of the following study areas: Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies or other area studies to the Library’s digital collections and services. The project should result in public-facing artistic work or scholarship that will expand imaginations both within and outside of the Library.
To receive timely notifications and updates, please subscribe to the Of the People blog at blogs.loc.gov/ofthepeople/.
About Of the People: Widening the Path
Launched in January 2021, Of the People: Widening the Path is a multiyear initiative to connect the Library more deeply with Black, Indigenous and other communities of color historically underrepresented in the Library’s collections. Supported through a gift from the Mellon Foundation, it provides new opportunities for more Americans to engage with the Library and add their perspectives to the Library’s collections. This work will expand the Library’s efforts to ensure that a diversity of experiences is reflected in our historical record and inform how we use those materials to understand our past.
About the Library
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world — both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
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Media Contact: Deanna McCray-James, 202-707-9322, demc@loc.gov,
Public Contact: Marya McQuirter, ccdi@loc.gov
PR 23-050
05-17-2023
ISSN 0731-3527