FARMINGTON — National Endowment for the Arts Chairwoman Jane Chu has approved more than $30 million in grants as part of the organization’s first major funding announcement for fiscal year 2017.

Included in this announcement is an Art Works grant of $25,000 to Alice James Books to support the publication, promotion and distribution of six books of poetry in 2017. The Art Works category focuses on the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and the strengthening of communities through the arts.

“The arts are for all of us, and by supporting organizations such as Alice James Books, the organization is providing more opportunities for the public to engage with the arts,” said Chu. “Whether in a theater, a town square, a museum, or a hospital, the arts are everywhere and make our lives richer.”

This grant will help the organization support the simultaneous print and electronic publication, distribution and promotion of new works by both established and emerging writers. Scheduled authors include June Jordan, Alessandra Lynch, Elizabeth Lyons, Kristin Robertson, Ellen Doré Watson and Jill McDonough.

All books will be promoted via social media outlets, print exposure and at conferences and readings around the country with the aim to cultivate creativity and artistic engagement in a broad national audience.

For more information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.

For more information on Alice James Books, visit alicejamesbooks.org.