NWP-A PARTNERSHIPS
Improving the Blank page
In his poem, “Young Poets,” Nicanor Parra speaks to young, creative minds and attempts to break down barriers often associated with poetry. Dr. Toby Daspit, then Co-director of NWP-A, founded the Improving the Blank Page Youth Writing Program, back in 2006, with Parra’s words in mind. The program has since become the foundation of the NWP-A/GEAR UP Fellowship, as fellows and young writers are encouraged to “improve the blank page.”
Poem By: Nicanor Parra
Link to Picture
Festival of WOrds
Additionally, NWP-A has partnered with the Festival of Words Cultural Arts Collective (FOW) in order to give Blank Page writers opportunities to share their writing. Through FOW, students and teachers have been given opportunities to participate in Word Crawl (a 12-hour literary marathon), student writing contests, workshops with published authors, and community stage readings.
Click the logo to visit their website!
Annual Word Crawl
The Word Crawl is an annual fundraiser for the Festival of Words. It takes place in Downtown Lafayette, the 2nd Saturday of September. Participants find sponsors and join the 12-hour word marathon from noon to midnight. Creators of all ages share poems, stories, songs, drama and all other kinds of writings.
2021"Pieces of Hope"
Virtual Open Mic
Once a month, FOW will host a sharing of poetry, songs, and readings in an effort to bring people together during these difficult times.
If interested in being involved in next month's Virtual Open Mic, visit the FOW website linked below for more information.
2021 Virtual Open Mic Series
Click the link below to be lead to videos of our most recent readings
ClICK THE LOGO TO VISIT THEIR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GEAR UP
What is GEAR UP?
The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) initiative is a college and career readiness program of the U.S. Department of Education for low-income students in communities nationwide. The GEAR UP program provides support activities such as tutoring, mentoring, academic preparation, financial literacy, and career education to improve access to higher education to GEAR UP students and their families.
Who Does GEAR UP Serve?
GEAR UP is a highly competitive grant program that creates six-to-seven-year partnerships with K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, local and state education agencies, and community-based organizations.
According to the National Council for the Community and Education Partnerships website, GEAR UP serves over 523,000 students enrolled in over 3, 208 secondary schools across 46 states.
Acadiana Center of the Arts
Click the logo to visit their website!
Founded in 1975, the Acadiana Center for the Arts (“AcA”) is a community-supported regional arts council that fosters art and culture in South Louisiana.
AcA aims to bring equitable access to the arts through intensive residency work in schools and supports fair compensation of artists. On average, AcA serves over 300,000 people annually and provides fair compensation to 2,700 artists.
AcA supports the creation of new works of art, exhibits, festivals, performances, and public art across an eight-parish region that includes Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion Parishes.