The Stanley Museum of Art has partnered with the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read program for Spring 2025. This event features a community wide reading of the novel Beloved by Toni Morrison. This initiative is tied to the upcoming exhibition at the Stanley, it’s a fine thing, opening on Feb. 13, 2025.  

NEA Big Read Logo

Iowa City is one of 62 communities nationwide participating in the 2023-2024 NEA Big Read. From February to May, our community will celebrate Beloved by Toni Morrison with a full calendar of events. This will include four Beloved-related discussions about literature and art, led by the Stanley’s curator of special projects and author of What Napoleon Could Not Do, Derek (DK) Nnuro.

The NEA Big Read in Iowa City is presented in partnership with the Stanley Museum of Art, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE Nea big read LEARN MORE ABOUT BELOVED BY TONI MORRISON

 

Upcoming Events

Beloved Screening at FilmScene promotional image

Beloved Screening at FilmScene

Sunday, May 4, 2025 3:30pm to 6:30pm
FilmScene (Chauncey)
As the NEA Big Read draws to a close, immerse yourself in the powerful story of Beloved on the big screen!For one day only, FilmScene presents the critically acclaimed film based on Toni Morrison's novel, starring Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, and Thandiwe Newton. This cinematic masterpiece will enrich your understanding of Morrison's novel before the final discussion of the book the following Saturday.Beloved on 35mm is free for all and is presented in partnership with the Stanley Museum of Art...
NEA Big Read | Discussion of "Beloved" with Tameka Cage Conley & Derek (DK) Nnuro promotional image

NEA Big Read | Discussion of "Beloved" with Tameka Cage Conley & Derek (DK) Nnuro

Saturday, May 10, 2025 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Stanley Museum of Art
The final discussion session of Beloved will be led by Tameka Cage Conley."In a time when dreams might feel distant, I count it 'sheer, good fortune'—a Morrisonian quote from Sula--to return to Iowa City, which remains home to me, and join DK Nnuro for the final discussion of Beloved, a novel that has been seared into my consciousness and all meaning of life for over thirty years. A homecoming of enormous import, we will step into the mercy and splendor of Morrison's language—its gifts and...
Sundays with the Docents | "it's a fine thing" exhibition tour promotional image

Sundays with the Docents | "it's a fine thing" exhibition tour

Sunday, May 11, 2025 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Stanley Museum of Art
Join us for a tour of the Stanley Museum of Art's latest exhibition, it's a fine thing. This tour is presented in conjunction with the NEA Big Read and will draw connections between the show and Toni Morrison's novel Beloved.This tour is part of the Sundays with the Docents program where Stanley docents create unique tours to share with our audiences throughout the year. Registration is strongly recommended. Walk-ins are welcome, but tours are capped at 20 participants.Reserve your spot at https...