Our plan
StudioSTL is a literary arts and writing center for students and the community of the St. Louis area. StudioSTL helps students discover, develop, and celebrate their individual voice through writing. All of their programs are based on the belief that a literary toolbox and writing skills -- whether for fun, for school or in personal and professional life -- are indispensable lifelong gifts. Through their student publications program, they work to give their students tangible proof of the nexus between hard work and achievement. By connecting them to a larger community audience StudioSTL helps them understand that written self-expression is valuable and valued. Ultimately, through their student publications, StudioSTL works to focus community attention and resources on the critical need to value writing as an essential component of a solid education.
What we did
StudioSTL was founded in 2005 by a seven-member committee in order to provide free writing programs and literacy-related services. The center is involved in the schools, conducts writing workshops, publishes student work and provides the support that young authors need. Its main focus is its publication program, which has been an overwhelming success -- so much so that the main challenge for them is keeping up with the demand. In addition to their publications program, StudioSTL offers weekend workshops and special performance opportunities. Their mentoring teams recently worked in collaboration with University City High over an eight week session to help students write and perform poetry to accompany each movement of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" at two concert performances.
Our results
Students receive valuable supplemental lessons helping them to realize their potential as a voice. They develop an appreciation for the written word that goes along with the act of creative writing. The StudioSTL writing community has helped more than 300 students in the City of St. Louis, Wellston, University City and throughout St. Louis County to publish three newspapers with a community circulation of 1000 newspapers per program (3000 total); printing and distribution of 500 magazines, and printing and distribution for sale of 2000 bound anthologies. The St. Louis community has embraced the Studio's young writers and their written works. "Anthology 1: Self-Portraits" published to front-page headlines in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; it is now offered for sale at St. Louis retail establishments, including national book chains. Washington University purchased the first anthology as a required text for its Urban Studies program and for a third grade writing program at Adams Elementary school in the Forest Park East neighborhood. Our students have introduced national speakers at University events, shared their writing in college seminars and have read their poetry before community audiences.
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