Walt Whitman Birthplace Association Honors Dana Gioia

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The Walt Whitman Birthplace Association (WWBA) is proud to award California Poet Laureate Dana Gioia as its 2016 Champion of Literacy on Sunday, April 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the museum, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station.

The award will be in recognition of his exceptional achievements in promoting literacy through his career which includes five collections of poetry with 99 Poems: New & Selected, as his most recent publication, eight poetry chapbooks, three opera libretti, and numerous translations in Latin, Italian, German and Romanian, essays, reviews and critical writings. In 2002, his third collection, Interrogations at Noon, won the American Book Award. Gioia completed an MA in comparative literature at Harvard University. He has written over two dozen literary anthologies and college textbooks and has received 11 honorary doctorates. Since 2015, he has held the title of Poet Laureate of California.

Gioia served two terms (2003-2009) as Chair of the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) wherein he initiated innovative programs such as Shakespeare in American Communities, Operation Homecoming, and The Big Read.

In 2005, Gioia founded Poetry Out Loud with fellow poet John Barr, former President of The Poetry Foundation. Barr will introduce Gioia who will then offer an acceptance speech and read his own poetry. Poetry Out Loud is a nationwide recitation competition which encourages high school students to learn about poetry through memorization. Six Poetry Out Loud finalists will recite their winning poems. Gioia will discuss how the NEA is vital to the community arts programs. He will hold a Q-and-A and book signing following the discussion.

WWBA Executive Director Cynthia Shor stated, “We are delighted Dana Gioia has accepted our award. His prior commitments prevented him from joining us in 2016. Now, more than ever, Dana’s advocacy for the arts takes on a national role. We are urging the community to join the celebration and to add their voice to support arts funding.”

The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

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