Festival of Books 2021
Programming kicks off Columbus Day Weekend and continues through October.
With our community’s health in mind, the 2021 Festival of Books will again be virtual. Ten distinguished authors will be presenting via Zoom (free with registration) and 400+ Special Books will be for sale online.
- For adults, an author with a family mob history, a Pulitzer Prize winner, a cooking demo by a cookbook author, historical novelists and WWII historians.
- For kids, an author who’s written about the planet for 20 years, and an author-illustrator whose story about a Holocaust hero is for children and adults alike.
- See the full 2021 schedule.
- Registrations for all author presentations are now available.
Upcoming Events And Activities
Help Us Turn the Page
Support the 2021 Festival of Books!
Your dedicated donation can keep the pages turning at the Academy in the face of 2021’s ongoing challenges. Learn more.
Special Book Room Online Store
Early Buying For Academy Members
Over 400 expertly curated books and more. Learn more. 
Dexter Palmer & Rishi Reddi
Thursday, October 7, 7:00pm
Two authors discuss their historical fiction. Learn more.
Rick Rodgers
Saturday, October 9, 3:00pm
Culinary professional and author Rick Rodgers will conduct a cooking demonstration. Learn more. 
Peter Sis
Sunday, October 10, 4:00pm
Internationally acclaimed author-illustrator of books for children and adults will discuss his latest work. Learn more. Watch and Listen to our recent Programming
Interview with Scott Taylor
Enter the colorful world of this talented artist, one of seven in our upcoming Botanical Show - Still Life: Flowers, Fruits & Foods in repose. On our YouTube channel.
2021 Young Writers' Contest Winners
Six prize winners and one honorable mention were chosen from 38 entries to the 2021 competition. See the winners and read their works.
Community Writes III
Thanks to all who participated. Read the selected works in this round from our creative community of writers.
Student Work from Mixed Media Workshop with Jackie Rogers
Take a look at what this creative crew accomplished.
Roots & Shoots Streams:
Jovino Santos Neto
Saturday, June 5, 7:30pm
Enjoy the YouTube broadcast of this Brazilian jazz great.
Artists at Home Continued
Spend some time with John Clarke, artist, musician and writer, in his Housatonic studio. On YouTube.
Your Support is More Vital than Ever
In Spring 2020, as the country went into shutdown mode, we followed guidelines and closed our doors, but we didn’t abandon our mission—to build community through the arts – shifting to online programming.
With your support we planned and produced a wide array of successful events and programs virtually. By spring of 2021, we were able to offer some limited in-person programming, gallery shows and outdoor fundraising events, following new Covid safety protocols. With the current rise in infections, we still can’t fully reopen our indoor space for live presentations. As the options for outdoor functions are reduced by the change in seasons, we still need your help.
While your support is always valued, this year it remains more vital than ever. Please make your tax-deductible gift today.
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
Become a Member
We're dedicated to programs in a welcoming space for our Columbia County community and neighbors. Learn More
Winter 2020-2021 Now Available
Looking back, and ahead, to better times. See the latest as well as past newsletters.
A "Home" of Our Own
To keep you all in the loop, we now have our own YouTube channel. Please subscribe, to see what has, and is, going on at the Academy!
