By Staff
Students at Pollard-McCall Junior High School have been presented with materials for a program that will allow them to learn more about historial art.
The school's Library Media Center is one of over 26,000 school and public libraries across the nation to receive the Picturing America program.
The program is made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).  Picturing America is a free initiative that helps teach American history and culture by bringing some of the country's great art directly to classrooms and libraries.
Hugh White, principal at Pollard-McCall, is happy to have the school participate in the special program.
Pollard McCall Junior High School received 40 large, high-quality reproductions of great American art and a comprehensive teacher's resource book to facilitate the use of the works of art in core subjects.  
Picturing America's resources are designed to allow each work of art to enhance the study of American history, social studies, language arts, literature, and civics.
Sarah Anne Fountain, library media specialist, believes the students will have a better understanding of history by having access to the art.
Bruce Cole, NEH chairman, said the program is one that his organization believes should be available at all schools.
From Jan. 7 through April 15, 2008, over 26,000 schools and public libraries in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories successfully applied to receive Picturing America in the program's first nationwide application period.
In Escambia County, six institutions have been awarded Picturing America.
The NEH will offer Picturing America to more schools and libraries in 2009. Applications are currently being accepted.  All eligible organizations in the U.S. and its territories that have not previously received Picturing America may apply for the program through Oct. 31, 2008 at PicturingAmerica.neh.gov.
Picturing America is distributed by the NEH in cooperation with the American Library Association (ALA).  For information about the ALA, please visit www.ala.org.
Public, private, parochial, and charter and home school consortia (K-12), as well as public libraries in the US and its territories, are eligible to receive
Picturing America materials.  Interested schools and public libraries may apply through the NEH for the second round of Picturing America awards through Oct. 31, 2008 for receipt of the materials in spring 2009.
Detailed instructions for submitting an application can be found in the ‘Apply Now' section of the Picturing America Web site, PicturingAmerica.neh.gov.
Because “democracy demands wisdom,” NEH serves and strengthens our Republic through promoting excellence in the humanities and conveying the lessons of history to all Americans.  
Through its programs, NEH provides opportunities for all citizens to embrace the humanities and benefit from their wisdom.  For more information about NEH, visit www.neh.gov.
A complete list of recipient schools and public libraries in cities and states across the country is available on the media page of the Picturing America web site.