By Rebecca Ballenger, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

The Worlds of Words Center of Global Literacies and Literatures in the University of Arizona College of Education announces the launch of its first ever crowdfunding campaign on October 2. The campaign aims to raise $10,000 to fund a year of exhibits that will spark the imaginations of visitors to the center.

“We are excited to launch our first crowdfunding campaign,” says UArizona Regents Professor and director of the WOW Center, Kathy Short. “This is a great opportunity to support our mission of sharing global stories. With help from the community, we can continue to provide enriching exhibits that inspire people of all ages.”

The WOW Center team plans new exhibits each fall and spring semester that are free and open to the public. These exhibits create shared experiences, from the planning that brings in local and international partners, to the execution and testing that requires input and feedback, to the launch and showing where volunteers, including pre-service and retired teachers, engage the public and create community conversations.

Each exhibit is designed to be a source of wonder and have a significant impact on the K-12 students who visit for field trips. Exhibit field trips help students explore the world around them and learn about global literature with the added opportunity to interact with original picturebook illustrations.

“Our exhibits have featured Code Talkers, international COVID self-portraits, maps (fictional and real), global images of peace and war and the importance of play,” says Short. “We are committed to providing exhibits that are both educational and engaging, and we believe that this campaign will help us continue this important work.”

The funds raised through the crowdfunding campaign will be used to provide supplies for hands-on activities for younger visitors, purchase original art and pay international customs and shipping on exclusive exhibits on loan from partners abroad. To learn more about the WOW Center and to donate to the crowdfunding campaign, please visit https://crowdfund.arizona.edu/WOW between October 2 and November 2, 2023.

“We are grateful for the support of our community,” says Short. “With your help, we can continue to bring global stories to life and inspire wonder and imagination in people of all ages.”

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• Themes: Crowdfunding Campaign, Exhibits, Kathy Short, Rebecca Ballenger
• Descriptors: WOW Currents, WOW News