The Givens Black Writers Collaborative Retreat Program

Program Description

African American writers are the future of African American literature. With this understanding, the Givens Foundation has developed the Givens Black Writers Collaborative Retreat Program to promote the “writing life,” to support the crafting of excellence in African American literature, and to provide opportunities for the creation of literary collaboration, community, and the sacred space within which art is born. 

Each year, the Givens Black Writers Collaborative Retreat Program selects 10 black writers living in Minnesota to participate in a six-month program that includes a four-day retreat to Minnesota's Northwoods, writing workshops, one-on-one mentoring, peer support, and a literary performance.   Participating writers receive mentoring and peer support for the honing of their literary craft and the production of new works. Through the program, writers also become part of a literary community committed to advancing the African American literary tradition.

Program Quick Facts

What:  A program for 10 emerging and established black writers living in Minnesota that includes a four-day retreat, writing workshops, one-on-one mentoring, peer support, and a literary performance.

Retreat Program Information Session:  Oct. 7, 2009, 7P @ Open Book Rm. 303 (Map & Directions)

Retreat Dates:  Nov. 12-15, 2009 (4 days, 3 nights)

Retreat Location:  The Dwelling in the Woods, McGrath, MN (www.thedwellinginthewoods.org)

Mentoring Writers:  Ishmael Reed (National) & Laurie Carlos (State)

Mentoring Workshops: November 2009 to April 2010

Literary Performance:  May 10, 2010  7P @ The Capri Theater    CLICK HERE For More Information

Cost:  Free (sponsored by the Jerome Foundation)

Eligibility Criteria

In October of 2009, 10 black writers will be selected to participate in the 2009-2010 Givens Black Writers Collaborative Retreat Program. For this program, we strive to have participants represent a balanced distribution of ages, genders, and geographic residence within the state of Minnesota.  Applications will be subject to blind review by a panel of three local African American writers. 

Selected participants will:

• Be aged 18 and older
• Be identified as emerging artists (6 applicants who exhibit significant potential yet are not recognized as established creators by fellow artists and other arts professionals; not yet or only recently published or produced)
• Be identified as established writers (4 applicants, multiple works have been published or produced)
• Not be enrolled in an academic literary arts program
• Not be past participants in the Givens Black Writers Collaborative Retreat Program.

Program Application

To apply for the 2009-2010 Givens Black Writers Collaborative Retreat Program, complete and return the application according to the instructions provided. To download the application, click below: 

Givens Black Writers Collaborative Retreat Program Application

Completed Applications Must Be Received at the Givens Foundation Office by

5:00pm on October 21, 2009. 

Program Schedule 2009-2010

• Program Application Available:                                                                                               September 23, 2009
• Program Information Session (Highly Recommended, 7P @ Open Book, Rm. 303):              October 7, 2009
• Program Application Deadline  (Received by 5:00p at the Givens Foundation Office):         October 21, 2009
• Participant Selection Notifications:                                                                                               October 30, 2009
• Participant Orientation (7P @ Open Book, Rm. 303):                                                              November 4, 2009
• A Conversation with Ishmael Reed (National Mentoring Writer for Retreat):                        November 11, 2009
• Black Writers Retreat:                                                                                                           November 12-15, 2009
• Program Workshops:                                                                                               November 2009 -- March 2010
• Literary Performance:                                                                                                                            May 10, 2010

For More Information

Contact: 

Ellena Schoop

  Collaborative Retreat Program Coordinator

        Phone:  651-895-5603

Email:   retreat@givens.org