|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Neighborhood Writing Alliance believes in the power of the written word. We sponsor writing workshops across the city, free and open to all adult residents. We publish pieces by each writer in the Journal of Ordinary Thought (JOT), which has as its motto, Every Person Is a Philosopher.
Come to a JOT workshop and be surprised. You'll find a supportive group of writers who welcome in people of all backgrounds, ages, and writing levels. Find inspiration in other writers' work; learn about yourself, your community, and those who are different (and similar!) to you. Gather together to write, have lively discussions, and read your work to others. Our workshops are held weekly and have on-going, open enrollment.
Got an hour and a half? Come on in!
There is absolutely no experience necessary to join our groups. The only requirement is that you have a desire to write and share your stories. We encourage you to write about what you know best: yourself and your own experiences. But there are no limits to what you can write about in our workshops: politics, family, social issues, history, you name it. Best of all, you will have the chance to share your stories, and your ideas, throughout the city when they are published in our glossy, black and white publication, the Journal of Ordinary Thought.
Interested? We host all of our workshops in community settings such as libraries and schools, so there will probably be one close to you. Check out our Writing Groups page for locations and times.
"First I lived it. Then I wrote it." – Adrienne Kelly, JOT writer
Since 1996, NWA has brought opportunities to create literary art into Chicago communities and to share that work in the immediate neighborhoods and beyond. JOT writers have read their work on WBEZ, Chicago’s public radio station, and at readings across the city, including at the Chicago Humanities Festival and the Guild Complex. Their work has been adapted for the stage by the Chicago Theatre Company in an award-winning production, “The Journal of Ordinary Thought.” The opportunities are endless. What are your ideas?
See what's coming up on our News page.
Support us
We are a small non-profit organization, supported by generous public and private foundations, individual supporters, and subscribers. If you would like to subscribe to the magazine, give a tax-deductible donation, or would like to recommend us for funding through a foundation or other institution, please contact us. We need your help! Go to our Subscribe page to learn how you can get involved.
Who we are
We are a small, dedicated staff of writing and teaching professionals:
Carrie
Spitler, Executive Director, cspitler@jot.org
Rupal Soni, Program Director and Associate Editor, rsoni@jot.org
Mairead Case, Assistant Director and Editor, mcase@jot.org
You can hear the powerful words of our writers by listening or downloading taped recordings of our events through our partners at Chicago Amplified.
Our Board of Directors:
Laura
S. Washington, President
Kenneth W. Warren, Vice President
Rosellen Brown, Treasurer and Secretary
Lucy Ascoli
Robert D. Blackwell, Sr.
Catherine Brown
Susan Eleuterio
Deborah Epstein
Ghian Foreman
Jacqueline Lazú
Ruth A. Lopez
Charles H. Mottier
Damon J. Phillips
Veronda J. Pitchford
Kathy Schaeffer
Lesley D. Slavitt
Alita P. Tucker
Writers' Council
David
Barr
Elizabeth Berg
Jamie Owen Daniel
Kelly Norman Ellis
Patricia Evans
Tony Fitzpatrick
Luther Goins
Jamie Kalven
Alex Kotlowitz
Bill Kurtis
Richard C. Longworth
Achy Obejas
Dominic Pacyga
Tom Scorza
Studs Terkel
The Neighborhood Writing Alliance and the Journal of Ordinary Thought are made possible in part through the generosity of the following donors. Our most sincere thanks for your support.
Our generous foundation and corporate supporters
Access Living
BankOne Foundation
The Blum-Kovler Foundation
The Boeing Company
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
City Arts II Program Grant
The Chicago Reader
Circle of Service Foundation
The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
General Electric Foundation
The Harris Foundation
Herald Newspaper Foundation, Inc.
Hoopla Communications, Inc.
Hyde Park Bank
Illinois Arts Council, a state agency
Illinois Humanities Council
The Jocarno Fund
The Joyce Foundation
Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation
The Lohengrin Foundation, Inc.
The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at
The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
Polk Bros. Foundation
Sara Lee Foundation
Kathy Schaeffer and Associates, Inc.
Shore Bank
The Siragusa Foundation
Sussman, Selig & Ross
University of Chicago Community Affairs
The Woods Fund of Chicago
NWA
is partially supported by a Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs CityArts
Program II grant and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
We wish to extend our most sincere apologies for any incorrect listings. If your name needs to be corrected or if you feel your name should have been listed but is not, please contact us at the office. For a copy of our audit, please call us at 773-684-2742, or email us.
We receive technical support for our web site from Reid Carlberg at Five
Sticks.
