The Porch Writers' Collective
Programs
Budget
$27,000.00
Description
The Visiting Writers Series, including our annual event, is vital to the Nashville community and serves to further our mission to nourish and elevate literary culture across our city. By bringing the nation's leading writers to Nashville, we help to cultivate a vibrant literary reputation while contributing to the broader national literary economy. The project also positions us to promote and celebrate diverse voices, giving marginalized writers a platform to share their work and help others experience the many benefits of writing as a craft and creative expression. Previous authors have included U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limon, National Book Award finalists Lauren Groff and Deesha Philyaw, and Pulitzer Prize winner Jericho Brown, among others.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Long-term Success
The long-term goal of this program is to provide the Nashville literary community with a unique ecosystem for all writers through arts access, education, and community impact.
Short-term Success
The short-term success of this program is measured through a 90% positive feedback score from both the participating artist and from audience members.
Program Success Monitored By
Project goals will be monitored by key performance indicators that measure the success of our Visiting Writers Series. All attendees will receive an annual survey to help us best measure outreach, content subject matter, and inclusivity of the event. Survey responses help leadership better understand the degree to which readers, and writers, feel inspired while providing an opportunity for suggestions or changes.
Program Areas Served
Metro Nashville, Middle Tennessee
$27,000.00
Description
The Visiting Writers Series, including our annual event, is vital to the Nashville community and serves to further our mission to nourish and elevate literary culture across our city. By bringing the nation's leading writers to Nashville, we help to cultivate a vibrant literary reputation while contributing to the broader national literary economy. The project also positions us to promote and celebrate diverse voices, giving marginalized writers a platform to share their work and help others experience the many benefits of writing as a craft and creative expression. Previous authors have included U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limon, National Book Award finalists Lauren Groff and Deesha Philyaw, and Pulitzer Prize winner Jericho Brown, among others.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Long-term Success
The long-term goal of this program is to provide the Nashville literary community with a unique ecosystem for all writers through arts access, education, and community impact.
Short-term Success
The short-term success of this program is measured through a 90% positive feedback score from both the participating artist and from audience members.
Program Success Monitored By
Project goals will be monitored by key performance indicators that measure the success of our Visiting Writers Series. All attendees will receive an annual survey to help us best measure outreach, content subject matter, and inclusivity of the event. Survey responses help leadership better understand the degree to which readers, and writers, feel inspired while providing an opportunity for suggestions or changes.
Program Areas Served
Metro Nashville, Middle Tennessee
Budget
$10,000.00
Description
The Porch strives to make our offerings financially accessible to all writers. One of our organizational goals is to intentionally prioritize the inclusion of BIPOC writers as well as any low-income participants or individuals from historically underrepresented communities. To sum it up, we actively seek to prioritize the inclusion of all marginalized or underserved populations.
Beneficiaries
At-Risk Populations
Long-term Success
The long-term goal of this program is to provide the Nashville literary community, especially those from underrepresented communities, with a unique ecosystem for all writers through arts access, education, and community impact.
Short-term Success
The short-term success of this program is measured through a 90% positive feedback score from both the participating artist and from workshop members.
Program Success Monitored By
Project goals will be monitored by key performance indicators that measure the success of our scholarship offerings. All scholarship recipients will receive an annual survey to help us best measure outreach, content subject matter, and inclusivity of the workshop or program they attend. Survey responses help leadership better understand the degree to which readers, and writers, feel inspired while providing an opportunity for suggestions or changes.
Program Areas Served
Metro Nashville, Middle Tennessee
$10,000.00
Description
The Porch strives to make our offerings financially accessible to all writers. One of our organizational goals is to intentionally prioritize the inclusion of BIPOC writers as well as any low-income participants or individuals from historically underrepresented communities. To sum it up, we actively seek to prioritize the inclusion of all marginalized or underserved populations.
Beneficiaries
At-Risk Populations
Long-term Success
The long-term goal of this program is to provide the Nashville literary community, especially those from underrepresented communities, with a unique ecosystem for all writers through arts access, education, and community impact.
Short-term Success
The short-term success of this program is measured through a 90% positive feedback score from both the participating artist and from workshop members.
Program Success Monitored By
Project goals will be monitored by key performance indicators that measure the success of our scholarship offerings. All scholarship recipients will receive an annual survey to help us best measure outreach, content subject matter, and inclusivity of the workshop or program they attend. Survey responses help leadership better understand the degree to which readers, and writers, feel inspired while providing an opportunity for suggestions or changes.
Program Areas Served
Metro Nashville, Middle Tennessee
Budget
$5,500.00
Description
In this free class, offered twice annually, immigrants and refugees in the greater Nashville community learn how to transform life experiences into memoirs, how to write fiction from the imagination, how to find a poem in a moment and make it grow, and how to play with language (and make languages play with each other). Creative writing can be a great form of stress relief, self-care, and enjoyment, and sharing stories with others allows the safe exchange of unique perspectives and experiences. In this class, participants learn about the elements of writing, have time to write in class, and have the option to share writing with the class and instructor for feedback.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Immigrant, Newcomers, Refugees
Long-term Success
The long-term goal of this program is to provide the Nashville literary community, especially those from marginalized or underserved populations, with a unique ecosystem for all writers through arts access, education, and community impact.
Short-term Success
The short-term success of this program is measured through a 90% positive feedback score from both the participating artist and from workshop members.
Program Success Monitored By
Project goals will be monitored by key performance indicators that measure the success of our Immigrants Write program. All program participants will receive an annual survey to help us best measure outreach, content subject matter, and program inclusivity. Survey responses help leadership better understand the degree to which readers, and writers, feel inspired while providing an opportunity for suggestions or changes.
Program Areas Served
Metro Nashville, Middle Tennessee, Internationally
$5,500.00
Description
In this free class, offered twice annually, immigrants and refugees in the greater Nashville community learn how to transform life experiences into memoirs, how to write fiction from the imagination, how to find a poem in a moment and make it grow, and how to play with language (and make languages play with each other). Creative writing can be a great form of stress relief, self-care, and enjoyment, and sharing stories with others allows the safe exchange of unique perspectives and experiences. In this class, participants learn about the elements of writing, have time to write in class, and have the option to share writing with the class and instructor for feedback.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Immigrant, Newcomers, Refugees
Long-term Success
The long-term goal of this program is to provide the Nashville literary community, especially those from marginalized or underserved populations, with a unique ecosystem for all writers through arts access, education, and community impact.
Short-term Success
The short-term success of this program is measured through a 90% positive feedback score from both the participating artist and from workshop members.
Program Success Monitored By
Project goals will be monitored by key performance indicators that measure the success of our Immigrants Write program. All program participants will receive an annual survey to help us best measure outreach, content subject matter, and program inclusivity. Survey responses help leadership better understand the degree to which readers, and writers, feel inspired while providing an opportunity for suggestions or changes.
Program Areas Served
Metro Nashville, Middle Tennessee, Internationally
Budget
$7,000.00
Description
The Porch Writers' Collective is thrilled to announce the launch of its new literary magazine, SWING. SWING aims at bringing together established and emerging writers while drawing from a deep community of literary artists cultivated from over ten years of programming, literary workshops, and community impact. This bi-annual publication will feature poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and comics in a print format. The Porch is excited to amplify its current impact through this ongoing project which creates a greater opportunity for writers and readers, at all stages, to share the written word, hone their craft, and connect nationally. The magazine will strive for inclusivity among its contributors, with content that represents diverse backgrounds and affiliations and which consistently evolves readers' understandings of the South's shifting cultural landscape.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Long-term Success
The long-term goal of this program is to provide the Nashville literary community with a unique ecosystem for all writers through arts access, education, and community impact.
Short-term Success
The short-term success of this program is measured through a 90% positive feedback score from the participating artist and subscribers.
Program Success Monitored By
Project goals will be monitored by key performance indicators that measure the percentage of diverse writing submissions, distribution, and subscription sales. SWING subscribers will receive an annual survey to help us best measure outreach, content subject matter, and inclusivity of the magazine. Survey responses help leadership better understand the degree to which readers, and writers, feel inspired while providing an opportunity for suggestions or changes.
Program Areas Served
Metro Nashville , Middle Tennessee
$7,000.00
Description
The Porch Writers' Collective is thrilled to announce the launch of its new literary magazine, SWING. SWING aims at bringing together established and emerging writers while drawing from a deep community of literary artists cultivated from over ten years of programming, literary workshops, and community impact. This bi-annual publication will feature poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and comics in a print format. The Porch is excited to amplify its current impact through this ongoing project which creates a greater opportunity for writers and readers, at all stages, to share the written word, hone their craft, and connect nationally. The magazine will strive for inclusivity among its contributors, with content that represents diverse backgrounds and affiliations and which consistently evolves readers' understandings of the South's shifting cultural landscape.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Long-term Success
The long-term goal of this program is to provide the Nashville literary community with a unique ecosystem for all writers through arts access, education, and community impact.
Short-term Success
The short-term success of this program is measured through a 90% positive feedback score from the participating artist and subscribers.
Program Success Monitored By
Project goals will be monitored by key performance indicators that measure the percentage of diverse writing submissions, distribution, and subscription sales. SWING subscribers will receive an annual survey to help us best measure outreach, content subject matter, and inclusivity of the magazine. Survey responses help leadership better understand the degree to which readers, and writers, feel inspired while providing an opportunity for suggestions or changes.
Program Areas Served
Metro Nashville , Middle Tennessee
Budget
$120,000.00
Description
The Porch offers multi-session as well as single-session writing workshops in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, and special interest topics such as Writing for Healing, Travel Writing, or How to Interview Like a Pro. Workshops at the Porch are rigorous yet welcoming, encouraging creative expression while sharpening participants' understanding of the craft. Led by instructors with extensive teaching experience, each class focuses on a particular genre, approach, or use of writing, and allows participants to learn from one another in a supportive, friendly atmosphere. Three to four times a year, The Porch brings in high-profile visiting authors to lead workshops.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Long-term Success
The long-term goal of this program is to provide the Nashville literary community with a unique ecosystem for all writers through arts access, education, and community impact.
Short-term Success
The short-term success of this program is measured through a 90% positive feedback score from the participating artist and subscribers.
Program Success Monitored By
Project goals will be monitored by key performance indicators that measure the success of our workshops. All program participants will receive an annual survey to help us best measure outreach, content subject matter, and program inclusivity. Survey responses help leadership better understand the degree to which readers, and writers, feel inspired while providing an opportunity for suggestions or changes.
Program Areas Served
Metro Nashville , Middle Tennessee
$120,000.00
Description
The Porch offers multi-session as well as single-session writing workshops in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, and special interest topics such as Writing for Healing, Travel Writing, or How to Interview Like a Pro. Workshops at the Porch are rigorous yet welcoming, encouraging creative expression while sharpening participants' understanding of the craft. Led by instructors with extensive teaching experience, each class focuses on a particular genre, approach, or use of writing, and allows participants to learn from one another in a supportive, friendly atmosphere. Three to four times a year, The Porch brings in high-profile visiting authors to lead workshops.
Beneficiaries
Adults
Long-term Success
The long-term goal of this program is to provide the Nashville literary community with a unique ecosystem for all writers through arts access, education, and community impact.
Short-term Success
The short-term success of this program is measured through a 90% positive feedback score from the participating artist and subscribers.
Program Success Monitored By
Project goals will be monitored by key performance indicators that measure the success of our workshops. All program participants will receive an annual survey to help us best measure outreach, content subject matter, and program inclusivity. Survey responses help leadership better understand the degree to which readers, and writers, feel inspired while providing an opportunity for suggestions or changes.
Program Areas Served
Metro Nashville , Middle Tennessee
Budget
$10,000.00
Description
Through our Writing in the Community curriculum, The Porch facilitates free creative writing workshops for vulnerable populations within the community. This includes men and women in addiction recovery, unhoused LGBTQIA+ teens, veterans, prisoners, teens in foster care, the homeless, as well as cancer patients and survivors. Additionally, and under the Writing in the Community umbrella, The Porch will offer free expressive writing training cohorts for writers who wish to learn the vital skills necessary to facilitate therapeutic and expressive writing workshops.
Beneficiaries
LGBTQI+ people
People with substance use disorder
At-Risk Populations
Long-term Success
The long-term goal of this program is to provide the Nashville literary community with a unique ecosystem for all writers through arts access, education, and community impact.
Short-term Success
The short-term success of this program is measured through a 90% positive feedback score from the participating artist and Writing in the Community workshop attendees.
Program Success Monitored By
Project goals will be monitored by key performance indicators that measure the success of our workshops and training cohorts. All program participants will receive an annual survey to help us best measure outreach, content subject matter, and program inclusivity. Survey responses help leadership better understand the degree to which readers, and writers, feel inspired while providing an opportunity for suggestions or changes.
Program Areas Served
Metro Nashville, Middle Tennessee
$10,000.00
Description
Through our Writing in the Community curriculum, The Porch facilitates free creative writing workshops for vulnerable populations within the community. This includes men and women in addiction recovery, unhoused LGBTQIA+ teens, veterans, prisoners, teens in foster care, the homeless, as well as cancer patients and survivors. Additionally, and under the Writing in the Community umbrella, The Porch will offer free expressive writing training cohorts for writers who wish to learn the vital skills necessary to facilitate therapeutic and expressive writing workshops.
Beneficiaries
LGBTQI+ people
People with substance use disorder
At-Risk Populations
Long-term Success
The long-term goal of this program is to provide the Nashville literary community with a unique ecosystem for all writers through arts access, education, and community impact.
Short-term Success
The short-term success of this program is measured through a 90% positive feedback score from the participating artist and Writing in the Community workshop attendees.
Program Success Monitored By
Project goals will be monitored by key performance indicators that measure the success of our workshops and training cohorts. All program participants will receive an annual survey to help us best measure outreach, content subject matter, and program inclusivity. Survey responses help leadership better understand the degree to which readers, and writers, feel inspired while providing an opportunity for suggestions or changes.
Program Areas Served
Metro Nashville, Middle Tennessee
Budget
$10,700.00
Description
In the fall of 2015, The Porch launched a city-wide youth writing program, formally known as SLANT (Student Literary Artists of Nashville, TN). The youth program offers a variety of creative writing programs and events for students in grades 3 - 12 and uses writing to foster creativity, confidence, introspection, and empathy. We offer workshops in a variety of genres, including fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and creating comics.
We offer in-person workshops through MNPS, NAZA after-school programs, libraries, community centers, and other community partners. Additionally, The Porch holds annual youth creative writing summer camps. We also provide multidisciplinary creative experiences through our partnerships with Oz Arts Nashville, The Nashville Philharmonic, and more.
Category
Education - Literacy
Beneficiaries
Families
K-12 (5-19 years)
Long-term Success
The long-term goal of this program is to provide the Nashville literary community with a unique ecosystem for all writers through arts access, education, and community impact.
Short-term Success
The short-term success of this program is measured through a 90% positive feedback score from the participating youth and their teachers.
Program Success Monitored By
Project goals will be monitored by key performance indicators that measure the success of our youth programs. All program participants and their teachers will receive an annual survey to help us best measure outreach, content subject matter, and program inclusivity. Survey responses help leadership better understand the degree to which readers, and writers, feel inspired while providing an opportunity for suggestions or changes.
Program Areas Served
Metro-Nashville , Middle Tennessee
$10,700.00
Description
In the fall of 2015, The Porch launched a city-wide youth writing program, formally known as SLANT (Student Literary Artists of Nashville, TN). The youth program offers a variety of creative writing programs and events for students in grades 3 - 12 and uses writing to foster creativity, confidence, introspection, and empathy. We offer workshops in a variety of genres, including fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and creating comics.
We offer in-person workshops through MNPS, NAZA after-school programs, libraries, community centers, and other community partners. Additionally, The Porch holds annual youth creative writing summer camps. We also provide multidisciplinary creative experiences through our partnerships with Oz Arts Nashville, The Nashville Philharmonic, and more.
Category
Education - Literacy
Beneficiaries
Families
K-12 (5-19 years)
Long-term Success
The long-term goal of this program is to provide the Nashville literary community with a unique ecosystem for all writers through arts access, education, and community impact.
Short-term Success
The short-term success of this program is measured through a 90% positive feedback score from the participating youth and their teachers.
Program Success Monitored By
Project goals will be monitored by key performance indicators that measure the success of our youth programs. All program participants and their teachers will receive an annual survey to help us best measure outreach, content subject matter, and program inclusivity. Survey responses help leadership better understand the degree to which readers, and writers, feel inspired while providing an opportunity for suggestions or changes.
Program Areas Served
Metro-Nashville , Middle Tennessee
