Seattle Arts & Lectures believes that literacy and a love for writing is a life-long process that starts in our public schools and connects directly to our public stages. Through our youth programs, SAL connects working professional writers with students and teachers to elevate and amplify the voices of students throughout the Puget Sound region.
Writers in the Schools (WITS) brings professional local writers to K-12 public school classrooms for extended creative writing residencies. Founded in 1994, the program has served over 150,000 students throughout the Puget Sound region. WITS aims to elevate the self-expression of students as they discover and develop their authentic writing and performance voices. Through WITS, students become authors of their own lives.
The Youth Poetry Fellowship (YPF) is made up of young writers and leaders who are committed to poetry, performance, civic and community engagement, education, and equity across the Puget Sound region. At community events throughout the year, Fellows share their powerful voices, leadership, and love of community.
Spotlight Author Visits (SAV) bring SAL speakers to local K-12 public schools for free, one-time visits. During visits, authors read their work, talk about their path to the writing life, and do a Q&A with students.