rEAD lISTEN wRITE fESTIVAL
Arts Alive offers fiscal sponsorship to new arts organizations working their way towards independence as nonprofits and to artists exploring community-centered projects and creating work in the Monadnock region.
the big idea
We believe in the power of the written word, in all its forms, to entertain, uplift, and connect people across cultures. Unlike most literary festivals, which serve essentially and vitally as industry conferences for people already familiar with the literary arts, READ LISTEN WRITE festival integrates world-class literary-related performances with community writing opportunities. Our Goals:
to provide the community with exceptional, unexpected, and diverse performances that celebrate the written word across literature, music, and art, including the deep talent in the Monadnock Region.
to give community members, particularly those with limited access to the literary arts, a chance to experience writing as an inclusive, empowering, healing, and community-building activity.
to support the building of a shared writing tradition within Keene and the larger Monadnock Region. A community with a writing and story-sharing tradition has the chance to witness, love, and strengthen itself — in its own words.
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Though this project never took off the way we hoped, many good conversations were had across the community about the importance and vitality of the literary arts in the Monadnock region. These days the project leader is pouring their love into their first book, and we can’t wait to read it. Sometimes one idea leads to a different idea. Two big ideas is a lot to carry. Letting go of one makes space for one to flourish.