With support from the California Arts Council, Inlandia Institute will implement a pilot project in Riverside, California, for “Pura Madre”, a multi-pronged creative literary arts program for women-identifying Latine mothers and their children beginning and ending in Hispanic Heritage Month. In Mexican Spanish “pura madre” has several meanings. Literally translated into “pure mother”, “pura madre” or “madre” is a slang phrase that is used to indicate something is worthless. We’re reclaiming the phrase by creating a program that will enrich the lives of our community’s mothering creatives and their children. Latinas make up over 50% of the population of women in the Inland Empire. Pura Madre will provide both income and space for Latina mother artists/writers in the region to focus on their creative practice with their child nearby engaged in similar activities.
Organization’s Core Programs and Services: Inlandia Institute is the only regionally focused nonprofit literary arts network dedicated to the Inland Empire region. Each of our five core programs supports the artistic development of the region’s writers, from beginners through intermediate practitioners to professionals. At each level, artists share expertise through workshops, professional development activities, and outreach and engagement programs, including an award-winning publications program. Inlandia Institute’s five core programs are: Children’s Creative Literacy, Adult Creative Literacy and Professional Development for Writers, Publications, Free Literary and Cultural Programs, and Literary Laureate. Celebrating the region in word, image, and sound, Inlandia is dedicated to fostering a dynamic and successful community of artists who explore our diverse and vibrant region.

