Teen Summer: Play With Your Text, and Other Artistic Approaches to Writing

Class Description

Class Description:

Not every piece of literature has to exist as words written line by line on a sheet, or printed neatly on commercial white paper, read aloud in monotone. Like all artforms, writing has infinite creative potential, and language can be communicated across various forms and senses. When we expand the bounds for what constitutes literature and what we can do with it, the standard text opens up to play and we discover, or re-discover, new ways of reading.

In this class we will read/view/listen to works of hybrid genres and disciplines, then learn from these practices and try them out for ourselves! Some forms and techniques we’ll learn about may include: lecture performances, video essays, spoken word, visual poems, memes, art books and DIY zines, comics, translation, archiving, and erasure/blackout texts. Central to this class is how process and purpose affect our writing and creative practice, and how socially, culturally, and politically motivated work can in turn be used to confront institutionalized oppression in our world and imagine a freer future through overlooked literary forms. *This class might include a field trip to the ICA to explore text-based art.* For writers age 13 - 18 ONLY. This class was previously listed as, Play With Your Text: Writing as Multi-Media Art Practice.

Takeaway:

Students will leave with new multimedia or genre-bending written works, experimental techniques for reading, writing, and understanding literature, and confidence in their sprawling creative visions that defy categorization.

Class Format:

This class will take place in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood. Students who need an MBTA pass to commute to class and/or a lunch stipend can request one using this form. Snacks, pens, notebooks and chromebooks (limited amount) will be provided!

Space Accessibility:

Our space is fully ADA accessible with automatic door openers, ADA compliant restrooms, desk and table spacing, braille signage, and elevator. Our classrooms can be equipped with ALS for hard of hearing individuals. We cannot guarantee a scent-free environment. For more accessibility requests, please contact our Operations team at [email protected] or (617) 695-0075.

Covid-19 Updates:

GrubStreet is a mask-friendly space. When our community Covid risk level is low or medium, masks are optional. We are currently at a high community risk level, so masking is required. Learn more about our Covid-19 Policy here.

Registration Instructions:

• If the student is under 18, parents/guardians must complete this permission form online. You only need to fill this form out ONE TIME, NOT for every class. If you cannot remember whether you have already filled it out, please email [email protected] and we will check for you! If you do not complete this form, your registrations could be voided and the cancellation policy will apply.
• If the student is 18, simply let us know by emailing [email protected].
• If you are registering on behalf of a student, add their email in the “For a Friend or Child?” field on the right-hand side of the screen at check out. This will send them a direct link and reminder to create their own profile with GrubStreet.
• Please register with your preferred name :)

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***If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at [email protected]. We’re looking forward to writing with you this summer!***