The Real Writer

A Different Kind of Writers' Conference

Takes place April 5, 2008 in Washington, DC.

The Second Annual Conversations and Connections will help you get the connections and information you need to take your writing — and publishing — to the next level.

This year’s keynote speaker is Mary Gaitskill, author of the novels Veronica and Two Girls, Fat and Thin, and the story collections Because They Wanted To and Bad Behavior.

Panelists are experts in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, writing for children, making connections, using the web, marketing, and everything in between. Over 30 literary magazines will be represented. Get the real deal straight from the editor’s mouth: your $45 registration fee includes the Friday night reading, full day Saturday conference, plus face-to-face “speed dating” with literary magazine editors, a subscription to the lit mag of your choice, and a book by featured speakers.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE.

Full schedule, with breakout sessions and panelist information, coming soon!

Conference site: Conversations and Connections

Teaching Artist Institute - Getting Artists into Our Schools

As promised a few posts ago, here is the link for the Teaching Artist Institute, which is a professional development program for professional artists who perform and conduct workshops in Maryland schools.

Teaching Artist Institute

Their goals: "The goal is to build the capacity of artists in our community to contribute to student learning in and through the arts. Each year, TAI provides over 50 hours of training and networking to 20 artists. Artists experience:

A three-day retreat in January, followed up by monthly one-day trainings in February, March and April.

One-on-one coaching from master teaching artists working within their discipline and a curriculum specialist.

Opportunities to meet in small affinity groups with other artists.

Opportunities to field-test their work in a classroom with institute staff, peer artists and teachers observing and providing feedback.

Opportunities to network with educators who are interested in bringing artists into their schools.

If you're not sure you fit into this catagory, get in touch with Young Audiences, Arts for Learning, Maryland, website is www.yamd.org, and see how you can become involved in their programs to gain experience before entering the Institute.

IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN MARYLAND: Great news! Young Audiences is a national organization so if there's an office where you live you, too, can be part of their programs.

Check out the map on their website: Young Audiences National Map

I can't stress enough how important it is, as artists (and writers are included in that category!) to offer our time, talent, and energy to children of all ages in our schools. Studies show that learning in the arts contributes to the development of academic skills, including reading, language development and mathematics. Arts learning experiences contribute to the development of fundamental thinking, social and motivational skills that are basic for success in school, life and work. These thinking or cognitive skills associated with studying the arts include reasoning ability, intuition, perception, imagination, inventiveness, creativity, problem-solving skills and expression. Other perks: raises self-esteem, self-respect, confidence, self-empowerment, respect for others, teamwork...I could go on.

It really is a good thing and I guarantee you will have the time of your life working with the kids!