Problem

With the continued downturn of our nation’s economy, low-income schools are struggling to provide basic education for children, resulting in less teaching that integrates creative thinking and learning. Children need a sanctuary for sharing their stories, building an identity, and learning that their words really matter. Arts education is also now a critical component toward preparing our nation’s children for a future workforce that is increasingly being fueled by the creative sector.

The Gift

This gift will provide one scholarship for a low-income child. The Summer Creative Writing Workshops offer a supportive environment where children engage in writing stories, poetry, essays, and plays, as well as simply reading for pleasure. Through these activities even the most hesitant child discovers the joy in writing, the intrigue of language, and the confidence of authorship. Students will work with teachers and writers, and the low teacher-student ratios ensure individual attention. Workshops end with culminating events: all publish anthologies; most do performances or readings also.