Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Seattle Arts & Lectures
Legal Name (if Different): Seattle Arts & Lectures
Also Known As: Seattle Arts and Lectures
Mailing Address: 340 15tth Avenue East
City: Seattle
State: WA
Postal Code: 98112
Main Phone: 2066213200
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://lectures.org/
Employer ID Number: 91-1384964
Organization Tax Status: 501c3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/31/2025
Requested Amount: 10000

Project Title: Writers in the Schools
Project Description:

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Seattle Arts & Lectures (SAL) is dedicated to fostering literacy and a deep love for writing as a lifelong journey. This journey begins in our public schools and extends to the broader community through our public stages, ensuring that the power of words is accessible to all. By engaging students and educators with professional writers, SAL’s youth programs aim to inspire creativity, amplify student voices, and cultivate the next generation of storytellers throughout the Puget Sound region.

One of SAL’s cornerstone programs, Writers in the Schools (WITS), brings professional local writers into K-12 public school classrooms for extended creative writing residencies. Established in 1994, WITS has impacted more than 150,000 students, providing them with invaluable opportunities to express themselves through writing and performance. These residencies create a dynamic learning environment where students can explore their ideas, experiment with language, and refine their unique voices under the guidance of experienced writers.

At its core, WITS is about empowering young people to become confident communicators and storytellers. Through mentorship and hands-on creative writing experiences, students gain not only technical writing skills but also the confidence to share their perspectives with the world. Whether through poetry, fiction, memoir, or spoken word, students learn that their words have power and that their stories matter.

Beyond the classroom, WITS fosters a broader culture of literary engagement by offering public readings and publication opportunities for students. These experiences allow young writers to see their work celebrated and recognized, reinforcing their creative potential. By bridging the gap between education and the arts, WITS transforms classrooms into spaces of inspiration, self-expression, and discovery, ensuring that every student has the chance to become the author of their own life story.

Total Project Budget: 765,942

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): 769,475

Project Duration: 9/1/2025 – 6/30/2026
Geographical Area Served: Puget Sound Region
Age Group To Be Served: K-12 Public School Students

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): MS.
Contact First Name: BETSEY
Contact Last Name: BROCK
Contact Title: DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Contact Phone: 206-621-2230
Contact Email: BBROCK@LECTURES.ORG