Wordcrafters Receives Two Grants from Oregon Arts Commission

Nonprofit literary arts organization receives grants to fund operating expenses and writing residencies

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 14, 2023

CONTACT: Jo Bartlett

Wordcrafters in Eugene

541-525-9309

jo@wordcrafters.org

EUGENE, Ore. – Wordcrafters in Eugene received two grants from the Oregon Arts Commission–the Operating Support Program and the Arts Learning Program both for fiscal year 2024.

The Operating Support Program’s mission is to help non-profit arts organizations with average annual operating budgets greater than $150,000 pay for their core operating expenses. Awards range from $3,000 to $30,000. Wordcrafters was among the 171 Oregon arts organizations receiving funding from this program. Out of a total of $1,392,696, Wordcrafters received $3,817, to fund operational expenses. These include marketing, staff and instructor salaries, and material supplies for Wordcrafters’ programs.

Arts Learning grants support projects in school that provide K-12 students responsive opportunities for learning in and through the arts; foster the exchange of knowledge between artists and educators; and impact the achievement, skills, and/or attitudes of learners. Wordcrafters was one of 28 Oregon arts organizations to receive a $10,000 grant to strengthen arts education in partnerships with Oregon schools.

The arts learning grant will help support Wordcrafters’ school writing residency program, Writers in Schools (WITS).

WITS pairs a professional writer with an instructor in a low-income, rural, or traditionally underserved school. Students work directly with the professional writer to develop their own writing pieces, which are then collected into a class chapbook, audio/video compilation, or presented at a school-wide reading..Having the opportunity to work with a professional writer directly boosts students’ confidence, creativity, and communication skills.

The grant will support 75 creative writing residency sessions at three Lane County schools: Lane County Youth Services (detention center); Kalapuya High School (all at-risk students); and Elmira High School (rural, low-income) while expanding the program with proven academic and school engagement success to new schools.

As a non-profit writing organization, Wordcrafters’ mission is to inspire writers and readers to tell their stories by hosting workshops, classes, open mics, and community gatherings focused on the art and craftsmanship of writing. Wordcrafters vision is to disrupt gatekeeping around who gets to call themself a writer.

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About Wordcrafters in Eugene

Wordcrafters in Eugene is a nonprofit literary arts organization celebrating 10 years of helping writers find their voice and tell their story.

Our mission: to provide writers with opportunities to strengthen their craft, deepen their connection with literature, and share their knowledge with each other and with future generations

Wordcrafters offers classes, workshops, and community gatherings for adults and youth, including creative writing summer camps, an LGBTQIA2S+ book group, monthly workshops for youth, the annual Fiction Fantastic short story contest, and Writers in the Schools residencies for underserved schools in Lane County, as well as StoryHelix, a community storytelling project.

Instagram/Facebook: @Wordcrafters

wordcrafters.org