NEH Public Programs Deadline Extended May 15, 2013: Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle A special initiative of the National Endowment for the Humaniti

Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle A special initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities Applications open for film sets and grants to develop public programming in your community The National Endowment for the Humanities, in partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, announces the launch of the special initiative, Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle. The project brings together four nationally acclaimed films that connect the stories of the long civil rights movement to spark public conversations about the changing meanings of freedom and equality in U.S. history.

About the films:   The Abolitionists A small group of moral reformers in the 1830s launched one of the most ambitious social movements imaginable: the immediate emancipation of millions of African Americans who were enslaved. Produced and directed by Rob Rapley. Sharon Grimberg, executive producer for American Experience, WGBH.    Slavery by Another Name Even as slavery ended in the south after the Civil War, new forms of forced labor kept thousands of African Americans in bondage until the onset of World War II. Produced and directed by Sam Pollard. Catherine Allan, executive producer for Twin Cities Public Television. Douglas A. Blackmon, co-executive producer. A production of TPT National Productions, in association with Two Dollars & A Dream, Inc.   Loving Story The moving account of Richard and Mildred Loving, who were arrested in 1958 for violating Virginia's ban on interracial marriage. Their struggle culminated in a landmark Supreme Court decision, Loving v. Virginia(1967.) Directed by Nancy Buirski; produced by Nancy Buirski and Elisabeth Haviland James. A co-production of Augusta Films and HBO Films. Distributed by Icarus Films.   Freedom Riders The Freedom Rides of 1961 were a pivotal moment in the long Civil Rights struggle that redefined America. This documentary film offers an inside look at the brave band of activists who challenged segregation in the Deep South. Produced and directed by Stanley Nelson. Mark Samels, executive producer for American Experience, WGBH.

Up to 500 communities across the nation will receive these four inspiring NEH-funded films on Civil Rights history, accompanied by programming resources to guide public conversations. Each participating site will receive an award of up to $1,200 to support public programming exploring the themes of the Created Equal project.    Applications are open to museums and historical societies; humanities councils; public, academic, and community college libraries; and nonprofit community organizations.  Click here to learn more and apply. Application receipt deadline extended to May 15, 2013 Notification: June 1, 2013 Grant term: September 1, 2013 - August 31, 2016