About This Program
What’s Your Story?
Artist
Valerie Heller
Program Type
Residency
Description
Everyone has a story. What’s yours? This 5-day series of interactive writing workshops provides students with multiple opportunities to (re-)discover their voice on the page as they compose a first-person narrative about an experience that changed the way they see themselves, the way they see the world, or the way others see them. Culminating in a coffeehouse reading, the What’s Your Story? residency invites students to embrace their inner writer and gives them a firsthand experience of how voice builds community by connecting writers and readers.
Pricing
Typically, residencies range from $2,500 and up, but we can use your available budget and ‘work backwards’ to create a cost-effective residency for your school. We may be able to assist you in securing grant and funding opportunities.
Residencies are tailored to your needs but usually include:
- A kick-off assembly (performing arts only)
- A required orientation meeting and planning session
- A set of workshops for classes of up to 25 students each
- A student culminating or sharing event
- An evaluation meeting
Testimonials
"Valerie did an amazing job setting the tone and making the classroom an environment where students felt safe to take creative risks. The critic was kicked out till day 5, and the students loved that. They dug into their emotions, mined their experiences, and explored their identity to find their voice on the page. We already miss her!"
Rachel Pratt, Art Teacher, Chesapeake Science Point Charter School
"Valerie inspired her students across the board, and even reached students who don’t normally contribute in class. Her methods are very effective--and they are necessary as a way to develop the creative writing abilities of young people."
Laura Zam, Author and Teaching Artist Institute Faculty
"Thank you for the fun classes we had with you about voice in writing. I really enjoyed writing with you because I got to express myself. I hope you continue to enjoy writing and make others happy like you did here!"
Dylan, Student, Chesapeake Science Point Charter School