Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library champions the legacy of Kurt Vonnegut and the principles of free expression and common decency
Another Update For Our Karass!
Due to the health risks of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the recommendations of health officials, we are open only through appointment at Kurt’s Forever Home, the KVML at 543 Indiana Avenue. The button listed below will take you to a page where you can select an available time to come in for a tour. We look forward to the day when we reopen completely. 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
In addition to Manon, other headliners include Slaughterhouse-Five gr
EVENT LINEUP
Check out this list for a full lineup of events planned for Banned Books Week!
(ALL EVENTS ARE VIRTUAL, EXCEPT 10/1 FUNDRAISER)
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 and in partnership with the Phoenix Theatre. The Phoenix and KVML will be making a special announcement that night!
• Friday, October 2, 6 pm: Slaughterhouse-Five Graphic Novel Virtual Reading and Interview with Ryan North, author, and Albert Monteys, illustrator.
• Saturday, October 3, 11 am to 12:30 pm: Free virtual events! Release of KVML’s annual literary journal So It Goes with contributors and artists reading and showing their work. 1 pm – 4 pm: Youth Writing Program 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.
“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!
Masks were made by KVML’s own Beth Ann Broadhurst (below).
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
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.
About Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut is a renowned author who took an unflinching look at the world, tempered with a satirical eye and sardonic sense of humor. In a career spanning over 50 years, Vonnegut published 14 novels, three short story collections, five plays, and five works of non-fiction. He is most famous for his darkly satirical, best-selling novel Slaughterhouse-Five, which turned 50 years old in 2019.
Become a member of the Karass!
Donate to KVML and help us continue to bring Kurt Vonnegut and his ideals to the world.
Your support helps fund our new building and programs such as Banned Books Week, VonnegutFest, Teacher Workshops, School Outreach, and so much more. Please consider donating today.
“Free Speech 50” Sponsors (It’s not too late to join this list!)
The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library opened at 543 Indiana Avenue November 9, just in time for VonnegutFest! One of our permanent exhibitions focuses on Freedom of Expression. You are invited to become one of 50 donors (individuals or corporations) to contribute $500 to support the creation of phase one of this important educational exhibition. Donor names will be displayed at the exhibit and highlighted in future newsletters and select event programs. Thanks to those who have already donated:
- Anonymous Gift in Honor of Brett Stoker
- Theresa and Terrian Barnes
- Sharon D. Battista
- Jim and Becky Brown Family Foundation
- The Charles Bruce Foundation
- Craig and Andrea Carmichael
- Dr. David A. and Mrs. Mary F. Cory
- Nicholas Croce
- James Forest Day on behalf of Montana Wildhack
- DePauw University Libraries
- Juliet and Alan Duncanson
- Valerie Elliott
- Mary Lee Gambone
- Matthew and Anne Gillingham
- Gregory & Appel Insurance
- Fred Greybar
- Sarah Harrell and Kristin Cutler
- Paige Christine Harrington
- Heartland Hemp and Supply Co.
- James Lucas Jones and Jennie Jones
- David and Mimi Lepreau Jose
- Victor R. Jose
- Katz.Korin.Cunningham
- Matthew Knoy
- The Lafave Family
- Marshal A. Miller
- Frank Noge
- John and Lisa Nolan
- Brock Noseworthy
- In Memory of Daniel W. Pfaff
- Mark Remington
- Patrick Rummel
- Stephanie Salter and Gabriel Fenoglio
- Bonnie Schall
- Kimann and Mike Schultz
- Sherwin Williams (Downtown Location)
- Kurt Simerman
- Candace and Neil Teixeira
- Kevin Toner and Susan Toner
Join us! Call KVML CEO Julia Whitehead (317) 652-1954 to learn how you can help make history with your contribution. Click here for more info and a donation form. Thank you for your support!
Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library 2017 - All Rights Reserved
The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization
The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library is proud to partner with the following American Writer's Museum.