With support from the California Arts Council, LITQUAKE FOUNDATION will fight isolation by bringing literary community to Bay Area Elders (aged 65+). The Elder Project consists of weekly writing sessions combined with hands-on creative exercises to stimulate the senses and memory and to provide an outlet for Elders to preserve and share their stories through creative writing.
2023/2024 Service Objectives:
~190 classes
~50 community-led workshops
100+ unique individual participants served
Expanding from four to five sites
2 anthologies of student work
2 public events featuring elder writers and their writing
History & Key Accomplishments:
Founded in 1999, Litquake has produced thousands of public events, featuring 11,500 authors and dance/theater/musical performers for 315,000 attendees.
Programs:
1) Litquake Festival – The crown jewel of our annual programs is our 16-day-long festival that includes a planned total of 150 events featuring 600-plus authors. 90+% of events are free. Expected attendance: 20,000 in person, 5,000 virtual.
a. Litquake Out Loud – An annual curatorial program highlighting the Bay Area’s BIPOC & LGBTQ+ writers. 6 curators produce a vibrant, impactful two days of events at a large outdoor stage. 100% free. Expected attendance: 2,500.
b. Lit Crawl San Francisco – A one-night ‘pub’ crawl of 60 events that creates collaborations with local arts organizations and writing groups with an emphasis on those who hail and serve BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. 100% free. Expected attendance: 6,000.
d. Kidquake – Two days assemblies and meet-and-greets with a diverse array of children’s authors (100% BIPOC) paired with activities run by the Bay’s best interactive educators. Serving the Bay Area’s K-5 public schools students (80% BIPOC, 65% on free/reduced lunch). 100% free. Expected attendance: 1,000 in person, 4,000 virtual.
2) Elder Project – Community-building classes that stimulate the senses and memory and provide an outlet for Elders to preserve and share their stories through creative writing. At 4-5 locations this year with 100+ Elders served. 100% free.
3) Litquake Year Round – A series of 30+ in-person events spanning the winter to early summer, focused on partnering with diverse local arts organizations to increase engagement with literature and storytelling. 80% free. Expected Attendance: 8,000

