NOTE: Due to the nature of the funding received to be able to provide Access Funds, Loft Access Funds Classes for the summer will not be able to be offered past June 30th, 2023. We thank you for your understanding. Fall pool applications will become available in August 2023.

The Loft's Access Fund model allows you to submit a single online application for adult class access funds. These opportunities are meant to reduce financial barriers to participation in Loft classes and are available to individuals who can provide proof of eligibility, such as participation in one or more public assistance programs.*  Once accepted, available seats are emailed out as they become available, about 1-2 times a month. These email alerts will give you access to a list of classes that are currently access fund viable. If you are interested in any of these classes, you will need to call the Loft Education office at 612-379-8999 to claim your class and be given a promo code (applied during checkout) that will provide a 95% reduction in tuition for a class. The access fund recipient pays the remaining 5% cost, which will vary depending on the regular price of the class.   

The Loft is committed to equity in our programming by creating opportunities for folks who face barriers to participation in artistic career development. While Loft class access funds are focused on reducing financial barriers, we want to strongly encourage individuals from historically marginalized communities to apply, including, but not limited to, Black and Indigenous people and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, as well as low income individuals.

Please note: these seats are offered first-come first-served, about a week to two weeks before the respective class starts. Meaning, you'll have to wait for a class that matches your interests and schedule.  To apply, please provide proof of eligibility that includes: 1) Your name & address 2) Public assistance program name**  3) A recent date    Then, use your mobile phone's camera, scanner, or good old snail mail to send us your documentation after, or along with your online application below. 

More questions? Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).  

*If you are not eligible for our access fund program but still require financial assistance, please consider our payment plan option through Sezzle to help manage the cost of class tuition.   **Examples of Accepted Public Assistance Programs

• TANF
• MFIP
• General Assistance
• WIC
• Medicaid,  Medical Assistance, or Minnesota Care
• SSI (Disability, Not Retirement)
• Food Stamps
• Unemployment
• Section 8 Housing
• Free or Reduced Price School Meals

The Access Funds application process requires applicants to complete an eligibility quiz (below) prior to gaining access to the application. This is meant to avoid any ineligible artists investing valuable time and energy in completing an application. Loft staff is also available by email and phone to answer questions and help determine eligibility.

Seasonal Job Posting—Program Coordinator, Summer Youth
Location: Open Book - Minneapolis, MN
Organization: The Loft Literary Center, Minneapolis www.loft.org

The Loft Literary Center is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit literary centers, offering more than 300 creative writing classes a year for youth and adults. The Loft also supports writers and readers through grants, mentorships, writing studios, regular readings and a spoken word series, and on its website through a wealth of resources about craft and the writing life.

The award-winning Loft is renowned for the quality of its programming and its service to the community. Loft staff members enjoy a flexible and enjoyable workplace, health and other benefits, generous paid time off, a four-day work week, and the company of dedicated and creative colleagues.

Position Purpose: The Program Coordinator for Summer Youth is a contract position with somewhat flexible daytime hours, Tuesday-Friday July 18 through August 11, 2023, typically between 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., onsite at Open Book. There will be 1-2 paid planning sessions with the Program Manager in June 2023. The Program Coordinator engages students in midday creative activities, fun walking field trips, and supervises onsite lunch.

Primary Responsibilities

• Supervise children, ages 6-13, during lunchtime hours
• Create and implement creative activities for multiple age levels
• Plan and coordinate "walking field trips" for students to nearby locations
• Provide logistical and administrative support for teaching artists, students, and parents.
• Provide back-up support as a substitute in case of teaching artists absence. 
• Supervise students with the assistance of two interns
  

NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions and it does not prescribe or restrict tasks that may be assigned. The list above is representative of the essential responsibilities for the job, but it is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of duties required to perform this role. As a member of the Loft Literary Center staff, other duties may be assigned to fulfill the Loft’s mission, vision and strategic plan objectives.


Job Requirements:

• Be able to work reliably and dependably Tuesday–Friday for all 4 weeks of the summer program July 18 through August 11  between 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m
• Interest in developing activities that are related to developing creativity and building community
• Have experience working with and supervising large and diverse groups of children and teens ages 6–13 in a summer enrichment education program setting
• Self-confidence to ask for help when needed and make judgement-calls as necessary
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills
• An outgoing, warm, and friendly personality
• Patience and a sense of humor
• Comfort providing technical support and assistance to callers and walk-in constituents. 
• Knowledge of Google based email and document platform, basic online research, and social media or blog platforms
• Proficiency with email, word processing, spreadsheets and data entry and fearlessness with technology
• A minimum of a high school diploma is required for this position; current degree seeking college or graduate students preferred.

The ideal candidate will also have:

• A love of creative writing and reading
• A love for working with students
• A desire to develop skills in the educational field
• An exhibited passion for mission-driven nonprofit organizations 
• Ability to manage a classroom

Time: This position is contracted work Tuesday-Friday from July 18 through August 11; 1-2 days in early June 2023 will also be required for training and orientation, exact date(s) TBD.
Pay: $35/hr
Location: Open Book - Minneapolis, MN
To Apply: The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023. Interviews will take place in April. Please prepare a cover letter and a resume as MS Word or PDF documents.

Please contact Program Manager Lucia LoTempio <llotempio [at] loft.org> with any questions.

Due to the expected number of applicants, we request that you do not call or email to check on your application status. You will get a confirmation by email to let you know that your application was received.

A complete criminal background check will be required of anyone filling this position.

The Loft is an equal opportunity employer.

Program Intern, Summer Youth 2023

Location: Open Book - Minneapolis, MN  

Organization: The Loft Literary Center, Minneapolis www.loft.org

The Loft Literary Center is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit literary centers, offering more than 300 creative writing classes a year for youth and adults. The Loft also supports writers and readers through grants, mentorships, writing studios, regular readings and a spoken word series, and on its website through a wealth of resources about craft and the writing life.   

The award-winning Loft is renowned for the quality of its programming and its service to the community. Loft staff members enjoy a flexible and enjoyable workplace, health and other benefits, generous paid time off, a four-day work week, and the company of dedicated and creative colleagues.

Position Purpose: The Program Intern for Summer Youth is a contract position with somewhat flexible daytime hours, Tuesday-Friday July 18 through August 11, 2023, typically between 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., onsite at Open Book. There will be 1-2 paid planning sessions with the Program Manager and Program Coordinators in June 2023. The position supports the Loft’s Young Writers’ Program during the summer which provides creative writing instruction to youth ages 6–17, onsite at Open Book

Primary Activities/Accountabilities:

• Supervise children, ages 6-13, during lunchtime care hours
• Help implement creative activities for multiple age levels with Summer Program Coordinator
• Supervise students during "walking field trips" to nearby locations
• Provide logistical and administrative support for teaching artists, students, and parents

NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions and it does not prescribe or restrict tasks that may be assigned. The list above is representative of the essential responsibilities for the job, but it is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of duties required to perform this role. As a member of the Loft Literary Center staff, other duties may be assigned to fulfill the Loft’s mission, vision and strategic plan objectives.

The specific knowledge required to do the above can be learned if the applicant meets the following job requirements:

• Be able to work reliably and dependably Tuesday–Friday for all 4 weeks of the summer program July 18 through August 11  between 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m
• Have experience working with and supervising large and diverse groups of children and teens ages 6–13 in a summer enrichment education program setting
• Demonstrated excellent customer service skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with parents and guardians
• Superior attention to detail, with the demonstrated ability to manage time and projects effectively and independently
• The ability to be a part of a team working environment while also possessing the ability to work independently and with initiative
• A minimum of a high school diploma is required for this position; current degree seeking college students preferred.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A love of creative writing and reading
• A love for working with students 
• A desire to develop skills in the educational field

Time: This position is contracted work Tuesday-Friday from July 18 through August 11; 1-2 days in early June 2023 will also be required for training and orientation, exact date(s) TBD.
Pay: $20/hr
Location: Open Book - Minneapolis, MN 

To Apply: The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023. Interviews will take place in April. Please prepare a cover letter and a resume as MS Word or PDF documents.
Please contact Program Manager Lucia LoTempio <llotempio [at] loft.org> with an

A complete criminal background check will be required of anyone filling this position.

Due to the expected number of applicants, we request that you do not call or email to check on your application status. You will get a confirmation by email to let you know that your application was received.
The Loft is an equal opportunity employer.

This form is for a Youth Class for Fall 2023. Proposals are due May 17, 2023 at 11:59 PM CST. Please note that the Loft offices will be closed May 20-29, 2023.

On our website, we have resources and FAQs to assist you in submitting proposals. Before contacting Program Manager Lucia LoTempio <llotempio@loft.org> with questions, please review the following:

• Reference Guide for Teaching Artists 
• Inclusion, Equity, and Antiracism
• Loft Code of Conduct
• Submittable Guide

The Loft is dedicated to offering classes that are imaginative, multicultural, and responsive. We seek reading lists, class content, and approaches to discussions on craft that are inclusive and diverse, as well as timely, contemporary and accessible (readily available online, not out of print). 

You must include a strong, considered statement on how your class plan and teaching strategies will align with the Loft’s goal to be equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist in its classrooms and with its programming. If you need time to understand what the Loft means by this, or are simply curious for more information, here are some suggested resources—especially if you need help leading and navigating classroom discussions of student work as they relate to these topics:

• How to Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi 
• A Good Time for the Truth, edited by Sun Yung Shin 
• Craft in the Real World by Matthew Salesses 
• Anti-Racism Writing Workshop: How to Decolonize the Creative Classroom by Felicia Rose Chavez
• Appropriate: A Provocation by Paisley Rekdal 

Online Learning Resources:

For an idea of how the Loft continues to build knowledge and capacity on this, please visit Team Dynamics.com and IDIInventory.com National SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) ASDICircle.orgThese are just a few of the many resources available on creating an inclusive learning environment in your classroom; if you are unsure of how to do this, or don't understand how to articulate how your lesson plan and teaching strategies will create this kind of environment in your classroom, feel free to connect with the Loft's Education Director before you propose your class - Jen Dodgson <jdodgson@loft.org>.

In order to teach online, Loft teaching artists must have a reliable and high speed internet connection and a computer, as well as basic knowledge of computer use, Zoom and Google Classroom, or WetInk. The Loft can not provide you with a computer or internet access.

What We're Looking For:

Reading lists and class content that are inclusive and diverse. Please ensure one perspective is not centered on a monolithic approach to experience and expression. 

Classes across genre. We will note though that as of late, classes in fiction and screenwriting fill quickest. According to our surveys of youth students, horror, fantasy, and sci-fi are our most requested subgenres. 

Strong and flexible lesson plans. Loft classes give young writers opportunities to engage with their teaching artist and one another, while also providing instruction on craft, engaging discussion, and in-class writing activities, as well as writing prompts students can work on between class meetings.  

Special Needs for Fall 2023:

Loft After-School Online -  We're looking to schedule several "Loft After-School" classes that would meet weekday afternoons typically from 3:30 -5:00pm or 4:00-5:30pm CST for three to four sessions of 60-90 minutes each. 

Themed youth classes around holidays - Fall/nature writing, halloween/writing scary stories, winter/snowflakes, etc.

Writing Groups/Creative Writing Workshop classes across age ranges - These classes are meant to build community, provide opportunities to meet and connect other writers, get feedback, get prompts, and share ideas. These are generic, multi-genre, and more “informal” classes with a main goal of connecting young writers with each other.

Saturday, single session programming in-person - This Fall we will be scheduling single session three hour classes on Saturdays. These classes will take place in-person at Open Book

Compensation 

You’ll be paid $7.00 per student per contact hour based on enrollment for your second class meeting (students may drop the class during the first week). For example, if you are teaching a 6-week class (meeting 2 hours per week for 6 weeks) with an enrollment of 14 students, your compensation will be $1,176. 

Minimum enrollment is 7 students, maximum enrollment is 17 students.

Please contact Program Manager Lucia LoTempio <llotempio@loft.org> with any questions.