State funds will support the organization’s general operating costs
Los Angeles, CA—June 14, 2018—The California Arts Council announced its plans to award $25,500 to Poets & Writers as part of its Statewide and Regional Networks program. The Statewide and Regional Networks program is rooted in the California Arts Council’s commitment to supporting arts service organizations reflective of California’s diverse populations. The program provides general operating grants for arts service organization networks with regional or statewide reach. Arts service organizations serve as networks to provide specialized, practical services for artists, arts organizations, and cultural communities.With the CAC’s support, Poets & Writers will host roundtable meetings and retreats for writers in several California cities, provide technical support to writers and literary presenters, and facilitate communication throughout the state’s literary community.
“We are thrilled to receive this support from the California Arts Council,” said Jamie Asaye FitzGerald, Director of Poets & Writers’ California office. “Poets & Writers has nurtured writers and literary programming throughout California since 1990, and this funding from CAC is crucial to our ability to continue to serve literary communities across the state."
Poets & Writers is one of 43 grantees chosen for the Statewide and Regional Networks program. The award was featured as part of a larger announcement from the California Arts Council. “Our Statewide and Regional Network grantees have their finger on the pulse of their communities,” said Nashormeh Lindo, Chair of the California Arts Council. “Poets & Writers is part of a passionate group of arts service organizations whose tireless efforts keep the creative heart of California healthy and thriving.”
A complete listing of all Statewide and Regional Network grantees can be viewed at http://arts.ca.gov/programs/files/FY1718_ProjectDescriptions_SRN.pdf.
ABOUT POETS & WRITERS
Founded in 1970, Poets & Writers is the nation’s largest nonprofit literary organization serving poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. Our work is rooted in the belief that literature is vital to sustaining a vibrant culture. We focus on nurturing literature’s source: creative writers. Our mission is to foster the professional development of poets and writers, to promote communication throughout the literary community, and to help create an environment in which literature can be appreciated by the widest possible public.
We accomplish this through Poets & Writers Magazine, an award-winning bimonthly publication; pw.org, a website that provides trustworthy advice, information, and a lively online community for writers; the Readings & Workshops program, which pays writers fees for giving readings and leading workshops throughout New York and California, as well as in eight cities outside these states; Poets & Writers Live, events designed to bring writers together to strengthen their communities; and awards for writers including the $60,000 Jackson Poetry Prize, the Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award, and the Amy Award. Learn more at pw.org.
ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA ARTS COUNCIL
The mission of the California Arts Council, a state agency, is to advance California through the arts and creativity. The Council is committed to building public will and resources for the arts; fostering accessible arts initiatives that reflect contributions from all of California's diverse populations; serving as a thought leader and champion for the arts; and providing effective and relevant programs and services.
Members of the California Arts Council include: Chair Nashormeh Lindo, Vice Chair Larry Baza, Phoebe Beasley, Christopher Coppola, Juan Devis, Kathleen Gallegos, Jaime Galli, Donn K. Harris, Louise McGuinness, Steven Oliver, and Rosalind Wyman. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.
###