The Word is a transformative literary arts program for New Haven young people. The Word partners experienced teaching poets, award-winning spoken-word artists, and emcees with creative students, teachers, and administrators across the city to equip youth to become stronger poets and culture creators.
WHAT WE DO
The Word 2023: Expanding Youth Experiences
BEYOND
This year The Word is taking things beyond the walls of New Haven schools. We are creating a Youth Slam Team to represent CT. The Slam Team will be traveling to Brave New Voices (BNV https://youthspeaks.org/bravenewvoices/) , an international conference held in various locations. This year BNV will be held in San Francisco July 18-23rd. This is the first year The Word has participated in BNV. It is a chance for the youth to travel, meet and network with peers from across the world, participate in workshops with world famous Teaching Artists they might not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise and the chance to perform to an international audience.
Youth Slam Team Selection: Hosting a traditional poetry slam on April 7th 5:30-8 pm at Stetson Library in New Haven. The top 6 poets will be attending BNV and represent CT as the Slam Team. 1st place CT Youth Grand Slam Champion 2023. The top 4 students win monetary prizes. Anyone under 18 in CT is eligible to compete in the Poetry Slam.
EXPANDING WRITING LIBERATION
The Word expanded workshops to include hybrid format and a day added. To make the workshops more accessible they are now offered on Wednesdays via zoom for the month of March and April leading up to the Youth Slam event. This workshop is being held to assist students to prep for the slam competition. The workshops at Neighborhood Music School continue to meet every Thursday evening and are now offered via zoom and live.
STRETCHING OUR REACH
The Word is holding workshops outside of New Haven! We held our first workshop at Hotchkiss school and have pop up events at Amity Regional Middle School!