The Next Giant Leap: Lunar Quilt Block Challenge

Astronaut and quilter, Dr. Karen Nyberg, the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts, and NASA collaborated to create a new quilt block challenge to celebrate the space program’s return to the moon. 

The Next Giant Leap: Lunar Quilt Block Challenge was launched as a STEM program to 7-12 graders in the United States last month. Due to the overwhelming, positive response from quilters around the country who learned about the program, applications are now open to all USA individual quilters, artists, and crafters. 

Information, guidelines, and application forms can be found on the Kennedy Center website.

Nov 20, 2024: deadline to submit intent to participate
Dec 10, 2024: deadline to submit application/artwork   

This initiative was launched in conjunction with the Kennedy Center’s upcoming EARTH to SPACE: Arts Breaking the Sky festival in March and April of 2025. A judging panel of astronauts and NASA and Kennedy Center executives will pick the best lunar block entry from each state. The 50 winning panels will be sewn into an official Lunar Quilt designed by Karen Nyberg. The Lunar Quilt will be displayed during the festival next spring at the Kennedy Center.