Programs

  • Louder Than A Bomb Initiative

    LOUDER THAN A BOMB (LTAB): OUR BIGGEST INITIATIVE, LTAB IS A SANCTIONED OFFSHOOT OF CHICAGO'S LONG-RUNNING YOUTH POETRY FESTIVAL THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE AWARD-WINNING LOUDER THAN A BOMB DOCUMENTARY. THE EVENT IS AN EXTENSIVE POETRY WRITING AND PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP CONDUCTED IN AREA SCHOOLS THAT CULMINATES IN A FRIENDLY TOURNAMENT. SCHOOLS FORM TEAMS THAT WORK WITH ACCOMPLISHED LOCAL POETS WHO SERVE AS TEACHING ARTISTS AND COACHES, WORKING WITH STUDENTS TO WRITE AND PRACTICE PERFORMING ORIGINAL INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PIECES. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO GIVE STUDENTS FROM ALL RACES AND DEMOGRAPHIC BACKGROUNDS, REGARDLESS OF GENDER OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION, A SAFE SPACE FOR SELF-EXPRESSION. THE ATMOSPHERE AT THE EVENT IS ELECTRIC, WITH ALL STUDENTS CHEERING FOR ONE ANOTHER AS POETRY BRIDGES THE DIVIDES THAT FORMERLY ALIENATED THEM FROM ONE ANOTHER.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2021 – Jun 30, 2022
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $365.1K

  • Writers On Loan Program

    WRITERS ON LOAN: ACCOMPLISHED LOCAL AND/OR NATIONAL POETS, AUTHORS, OR PLAYWRIGHTS ARE SENT INTO SCHOOLS OR OTHER PLACES (INCLUDING PRISONS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES) TO HELP PEOPLE CREATE ORIGINAL WORK. WHILE THE MAIN GOAL IS TO HELP PEOPLE FIND AND SHARE THEIR VOICES, THE PROGRAM ALSO INCREASES ARTS APPRECIATION AND PROVIDES PAYING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL WRITERS TO HELP RETAIN THEM IN NEBRASKA.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2021 – Jun 30, 2022
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $57.1K

  • Writers' Block Workshops

    WRITERS' BLOCK: WRITERS' BLOCK PROVIDES THERAPEUTIC WRITING WORKSHOPS IN PRISONS AND JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES IN NEBRASKA, WITH PLANS TO EXPAND TO IOWA. IT PROVIDES A CONTINUOUS SERIES OF WORKSHOPS, WITH TEACHING ARTISTS VISITING ONCE PER MONTH ON AVERAGE TO GIVE INMATES AN OUTLET TO CONSTRUCTIVELY COMMUNICATE AND LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER.THE ULTIMATE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO HELP REDUCE RECIDIVISM RATES, PROVIDE A POPULATION WITH INCONSISTENT ACCESS TO THE ARTS WITH IMPROVED CONFIDENCE IN WRITING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING, AND EVENTUALLY TO PROVIDE TRANSITION PROGRAMMING TO THOSE WHO SERVE THEIR TIME.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2021 – Jun 30, 2022
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $41.4K