Ezra Jack Keats Minigrants

Small Grants Help Libraries Encourage Creativity

Public school libraries and public libraries that host programs encouraging literacy and creativity in children can apply for an Ezra Jack Keats Minigrant of $500. Programs focusing on the work of Ezra Jack Keats are welcome, but not required.

Ezra Jack Keats was the first American author/illustrator to give a Black child a central place in a children's book. The Snowy Day featured a young African-American boy named Peter, and in 1963 received the Caldecott Award for most distinguished picture book for children. Peter appeared in six more books, growing from a small boy to adolescent.

Examples of successful minigrant applications include:

• Pen-pal projects bringing disparate communities together
• Multicultural portrait projects
• Art projects culminating in art shows, murals, or quilts
• Bookmaking
• Creation and performance of puppet shows
• Inter-generational journals

Winners are required to submit a final report describing the program funded by the grant.

Visit http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/programs/minigrant.html for guidelines and a downloadable application form. Applications must be postmarked by September 15 of each year.