Youth Speaks Writing Workshops
Our Writing and Performance Workshops are the heart of Youth Speaks. Young people come together weekly with an amazing poet mentor to imagine, write, share and rehearse. Want to know what happens in the room? September. Sign up for our Writing and Performance Workshops today.
Youth Speaks is excited to partner again with The Offing to publish young authors from around the world in this celebrated online literary magazine, which has published work by poets such as Danez Smith, Franny Choi, sam sax, Nate Marshall, Imani Davis, Tommy Pico, Joshua Nguyen, and more. This opportunity is open to participants age 25 and younger.
Are you 13-19 years old and want support writing and revising your poems? Join the After School Workshop this Fall, which is focused on getting your pieces ready for publication! See more information below. To see the Youth Speaks pieces chosen for publication in Spring 2022, click here.
September 2022 – May 2023
Writing and Performance Workshops are an excellent way to get involved in the Youth Speaks community while developing your voice amongst a fun and friendly group of participants. For 12-16 weeks, a small cohort of young people from throughout San Francisco and beyond join a Youth Speaks Teaching Artists to imagine, write, share and rehearse in preparation for a culminating event or publication at the end of each semester.
Workshops are open to anyone aged 13-19 years old of all experience levels, regardless of geography. San Francisco teens receive a $300 stipend for completing their first semester-long series and an additional $400 if they complete a second semester-long series within the same school year. Workshops are held in person at the Youth Speaks Office (265 Shotwell St, San Francisco) and online via Zoom. Interested in joining? Check out the details for our Fall and Spring cohorts below! Participant slots are limited so register today!
Writing Workshop with Bay Area Opera House
Looking for a space to sharpen your pen, update your drafts, or maybe try writing something new? Please join us for our new after-school workshop series in collaboration with the good folks over at the Bayview Opera House! Come kick it with Poet Mentor, EJ Walls aka Sin Q, every Tuesday from 4:30-6 pm at the Bayview Opera House and get your bars up. Registration is open at bit.ly/registerforys23 and workshops start Tuesday, January 17th, we hope to see you there!
Fall Workshop Series
In order to receive a stipend, San Francisco participants must register
Every Wednesday
4:30-6:30pm
Series begins Wednesday, September 7th
Series ends Friday, December 9th at the final Under 21 Open Mic and Teen Poetry Slam of the Fall
Spring Workshop Series
In order to receive a stipend, San Francisco participants must register by Sunday, January 22nd
Every Wednesday
4:30-6:30pm
Series begins Wednesday, February 1
Series ends Wednesday, May 31