BINGHAMTON, NY –The Binghamton Center for Writers, Creative Writing Program at Binghamton University and the Binghamton Poetry Project have been awarded a total of $7,250 in grants for upcoming programs. This funding, along with support from the English Department, the Office of the Dean of Harpur College, and The Research Foundation will support the Spring 2016 workshops.

The funds were awarded by the Broome County Arts Council–United Cultural Fund ($1,000), the Chenango Arts Council–Broome Chenango & Otsego Decentralization grant ($4,000), the Hoyt Foundation through the CAC grant ($1,000), and the Broome County Public Library through the Broome Library Foundation Fund from the Community Foundation for South Central NY ($1,250).

The Binghamton Poetry Project is a literary outreach program that aims to educate young people and adults on how to write and read more creatively. Its mission is to enhance art awareness and literacy, and to use poetry to make connections between the University and the Greater Binghamton community.

The following are free poetry workshops offered to Greater Binghamton-area residents in spring 2016: 

Adult Poetry Workshops
Where: Broome County Public Library, 185 Court St., Binghamton
Class time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Class dates: Mondays (March 7, 14, 21) Wednesdays (March 2, 9, 16, 23)
Instructors: Anastasia Lubas, PhD student in comparative literature; and Heather Humphrey, master’s student in English literature, rhetoric and composition, and creative writing
Website: www.bclibrary.info

Poetry Workshops for Kids (suggested ages 6-12)
Where: Broome County Public Library, 185 Court St., Binghamton
Class time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Class dates: Mondays (March 7, 14, 21)
Instructors: Jessica Femiani, PhD student in English literature, rhetoric and composition, and creative writing

Adult and Young Adult Poetry Workshops – Northern Broome Whitney Point
Where: Mary Wilcox Library, 2630 Main St., Whitney Point
Class time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Class dates: Fridays (March 4, 11, 18, 25)
Instructor: Joshua Lindenbaum, PhD student in English literature, rhetoric and composition, and creative writing

In addition to the workshops above, which are open to all Binghamton-area residents, the Binghamton Poetry Project will also conduct the following workshops, open to select groups:

Veterans Poetry Workshops
Where: Binghamton Veterans Center, 53 Chenango St., Binghamton
Class time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Class dates: Tuesdays (March 1, 8, 15, 22)
Instructors: Clara Barnhart, PhD student in English literature, rhetoric and composition, and creative writing; and Heather Dorn, PhD student in English literature, rhetoric and composition, and creative writing

Teen Poetry Workshops
Where: Union Endicott High School, 1200 East Main Street, Endicott
Class time: 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Class dates: Thursdays (March 3, 10, 17)
Instructor: Heather Dorn, PhD student in English literature, rhetoric and composition, and creative writing; and Carolyn Keller, PhD student in English literature, rhetoric and composition, and creative writing; with undergraduate intern Ashley Montgomery.
 
For information about The Binghamton Poetry Project and events, visit the website or e-mail: binghamtonpoetryproject@gmail.com.
For more on future programs, visit http://www2.binghamton.edu/english/creative-writing/events.html.