Update For Our Karass!

Due to the health risks of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the recommendations of health officials, we have decided to temporarily close Kurt’s Forever Home, the KVML at 543 Indiana Avenue. We look forward to the day when we reopen. Meanwhile, we are working to offer more experiences and content here on our website and via social media. Our online store is always open for business, so make sure to visit us often. Read more here.

BANNED BOOKS WEEK!

September 27 – October 3

The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library hosts our Banned Books Week celebration September 27 through October 3, 2020!  Banned Books Week is the annual national celebration of the freedom to read, sponsored by the  American Library Association. The week-long celebration raises awareness about censorship and freedom of expression. One highlight of our annual programming is inviting an artist, educator, or other passionate visitor to become our Activist in Residence and “live” in the museum for the entire week behind a wall of banned books. This act protests the infringement of the right to free expression. This year, we are honored to host Indianapolis resident and poet Manon Voice, who will take up the torch to educate and enthrall our visitors during this special week.

In addition to Manon, other headliners include Slaughterhouse-Five graphic novelist Ryan North, IUPUI Professor of Education Dr. Lasana Kazembe, and many more.

Event Lineup

Check out this list for a full lineup of events planned for Banned Books Week!

• Sunday, September 27, 2 pm: Securing the Vote: Women’s Suffrage in Indiana exhibit and virtual presentation by Indianapolis Business Journal Managing Editor Leslie Weidenbener (option of virtual or on-site exhibit). Tickets: $12-$15 (or virtual week pass).

• Monday, September 28, 6 pm: Free Speech in Cancel Culture – Participants share their thoughts on communicating in society these days and share a passage from their favorite banned book. Look forward to hearing from poet Manon Voice, James Madison, Mayor Joe Hogsett, and others. Tickets: $12-$15 (or virtual week pass).

• Tuesday, September 29, 6 pm: A History of Protesting for Change – Reading and discussion with biographer Dan Simon, poet Manon Voice, and IUPUI Professor of Education Dr. Lasana Kazembe. Tickets: $12-$15 (or virtual week pass).

• Wednesday, September 30, 6 pm: Radical Reads Reading Circle with IUPUI Professor of Education Dr. Lasana Kazembe, featuring the work of James Baldwin to introduce this ongoing program. Tickets: $12-$15 (or virtual week pass).

• Thursday, October 1, 6 pm: KVML FUNDRAISER SPECIAL EVENT with PHOENIX THEATRE! Tickets for members start at $100 and includes a week pass for the rest of Banned Books Week virtual events. Readings from Kurt Vonnegut: WordPlay, a new original play by David Hoppe featuring local actors led by producer Constance Macy and in partnership with the Phoenix Theatre. The Phoenix and KVML will be making a special announcement that night! Click here for tickets.

• Friday, October 2, 6 pm: Virtual reading and interview with Ryan North, adaptor of Slaughterhouse-Five graphic novel. Additionally, “Art in Politics” has its First Friday Gallery Opening (option of virtual or on-site) Tickets: $12-$15 (or virtual week pass).

• Saturday, October 3, 11 am to 12 pm: Free virtual events! Release of KVML’s annual literary journal So It Goes with contributors and artists reading and showing their work. 12 pm – 3 pm. Youth Writing Program Open House with workshops including Writing for Graphic Novels with Ryan North; Writing for Change with Dr. Lasana Kazembe; and Writing for Fun with John David Anderson. Click here for tickets.

“This year will be special and unique for so many reasons as this is our first Banned Books Week in our new home all while we’re trying to survive and navigate through a global pandemic,” says KVML Founder and CEO Julia Whitehead. “We know our events will be accessible virtually and our hope is to integrate in-person events and opportunities in a safe, meaningful way. In the midst of all this, the real goal is to bring awareness to literary censorship and celebrate important works that resonate with us personally and culturally.”

Weekly passes are available starting at $30 for members ($45 for non-members) for virtual access to programming all week long. Many of the events will offer limited in-person tickets. Week passes are not applicable to the Thursday, Oct. 1 event. To purchase weekly passes click here. For more information on these events, visit vonnegutlibrary.org.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Julia Whitehead. 

Donate Today!

KVML LIVE: A Virtual Museum

During these times everyone needs a bit of an escape, a little beauty, and a heavy dose of humor. Herewith we offer what we aim to build into a growing virtual library to soothe you and sustain you from the brilliant mind of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. CLICK TO SEE MORE

Kurt Vonnegut’s “Bluebeard”

Spotlight Videos, Virtual Library

Kurt’s Typewriter

Spotlight Videos, Virtual Museum

Ethan Hodes, “Sophicated Lady”

Spotlight Videos, Virtual Library

In this short film based on the Kurt Vonnegut short story of the same name we meet a girl named Catharine and her long-time friend, Newt. The two had grown up next door to each other, “on the fringe of a city, near fields and woods and orchards, within sight of a lovely bell tower that belonged to a school for the blind.” Vonnegut tells the simplest of love stories illustrating the theme of natural response and listening to one’s heart. One foot in front of the other, on the way to forever. Produced and directed by Jessica Hester in 2014.

CONNECT WITH US

CONTACT US: Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library 543 Indiana Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46202 [email protected] (317) 652-1954 FOLLOW US: Join the conversations on social media Kurt Vonnegut shared his views and wit with so many. We’d like to engage with you too. Please lend your voice to our social media channels: Facebook and Twitter and Instagram.