The Loft's Access Fund Pool is open for programming taking place in June 2025 - August 2026.  The Loft's Access Fund model allows you to submit a single online application to join the Pool and learn about Loft programs as they become available. The following programs are eligible for Loft Access Funds:

• Adult and youth education classes and workshops
• Year-Long Writing Project (separate application)

These opportunities are meant to reduce financial barriers to participation in Loft classes and are available to individuals who are experiencing financial hardship and to whom the cost of tuition is a barrier to participation. 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 offerings that are access fund viable. If you are interested in any of these offerings, you will need to follow the given instructions to request a seat in the class. Seats for most offerings are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If a seat is available, you will be given a promo code (applied during checkout) that will provide a 75% or 95% reduction in tuition for a class. The access fund recipient is responsible for the remaining 25% or 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.

It is not mandatory to provide proof of financial hardship, but if you would like to provide documentation**, please submit documentation 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). 

**Optional documentation, if provided, should include 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. 

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

This form is for a Youth Class for Winter Youth 2026. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis while this project is live. Want to get immediate feedback on your class proposal? Email edu@loft.org if you have any question about the proposal process.

On our website, we have resources and FAQs to assist you in submitting proposals. Before contacting Program Manager Marianne Manzler <mmanzler@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 Program Manager before you propose your class - Marianne Manzler <mmanzler@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 Winter Youth 2026:

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

"Use Your Words" - tentatively the theme for fall youth program! Any classes around storytelling and empowerment, tell your story, topic-based courses on story structure, characterization, etc.

Online academic support session and self-care for young writers (fall and winter options) - This hour-long, drop-in online support session is free for students and a place where students ages 7 and older can work with a trained teaching artist on homework, reading, and literacy skills, with a focus on creative writing.
 

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. Youth classes are also paid on a flat-fee basis of $50/hr. Minimum enrollment is 4 students, maximum enrollment is 17 students (you are paid for a minimum of 7 students for enrollment-based classes). If this is a flat fee class, you are paid $50/hr.
 

Please contact Program Manager Marianne Manzler <mmanzler@loft.org> with any questions.

Thank you for your interest in teaching with the Loft! This proposal form is accepting applications on a rolling basis while this project is live.

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

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

We offer optional office hours for proposal-related questions or application feedback to answer any questions. RSVP here for an upcoming teaching artist information session. Email edu@loft.org with any questions about the proposal process.

Loft’s Mission & Vision

The Loft advances the power of writers and readers to craft and share stories, to create and celebrate connections, and to build just, life-sustaining communities.

We envision a world where the power of the word liberates minds, deepens relationships, and inspires movements for people and planet. As an antiracist organization, the Loft develops literary experiences for writers, readers, and storytellers because racism dehumanizes people, and poetry and stories deepen our connection to our shared humanity. Recognizing the relationship between race, power, and resources, we prioritize the engagement of BIPOC/marginalized  communities and work for the equitable distribution of our power and resources.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).

Teaching Statement

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. 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.org. These 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 Manager before you propose your class - Marianne Manzler <mmanzler@loft.org>.

The Loft will deliver classes in two formats for the winter/spring term 2025 and summer term 2025:

• In-Person Classes take place at Open Book, in downtown Minneapolis, in a Loft classroom space.
• Online/Zoom Classes via Zoom. Multi-week Online/Zoom classes also come with the optional Google Classroom supplement to make materials available to students.

What We're Looking For

More long-term workshops; speculative nonfiction, children's literature and young adult, poetry, digital storytelling; youth classes

Classes that address the Loft Theme: TBD

Strong and flexible lesson plans. Loft classes give 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. Teaching artists are encouraged to give their students a syllabus or overview of the class on day one, as that gives them a sense of what to expect.

Single Session Classes. If this is your first time teaching a class with the Loft (or if you haven't taught a class with the Loft in the last five years), please only propose a single, 3-hour or 4-hour class. From there, we will gauge audience interest and can work together to see if a multi-week format is right for your class. Thank you!

Multi-week (4 week, 8 week, or 12 week) genre workshops that focus on craft and readings, generative writing exercises, community-building opportunities, and feedback-based workshops with written and verbal feedback and participation. Core values to emphasize: curiosity and creativity.

Please refer to the Loft’s Teacher Guide to see if your class might be a fit.
 

What we are not looking for

We have not had success with classes that feel academic in nature (e.g., assigning academic writing texts, theoretical texts, reading lists that are too long, reading workshops built around classics) or are too niche (e.g., somatic writing, writing in translation). Please get to know our catalog and current offerings to see what we do at loft.org.

Fall Class Proposal Timeline

Fall class proposals accepted April - May.

June - July 2025 | Education team selects classes and selection notification begins

July 2025 | Fall Registration Opens Online

September 17, 2025 - December 12, 2025 | Fall Session
 

Winter Proposal Timeline

Winter class proposals accepted June - August.

August-October 2025 | Education team reviews classes and selection notification begins

November 2025 | Winter registration opens online

Winter session: January 21 - April 19

FY 25-26 | Access Funds pool is open and accepts applications on a rolling basis
 

Summer Proposal Timeline

Summer class proposals accepted Jan - March.

March - April | Education team reviews classes and selection notification begins

April | Summer registration opens online

Summer session: June 18 - August 20

FY 25-26 | Access Funds pool is open and accepts applications on a rolling basis

Thanks for your interest in volunteering with the Loft! Volunteers work closely with staff, author/personalities, and the literary community to execute Loft programming and events. The Loft primarily seeks volunteers interested in helping with literary events and occasional administrative projects. Please complete this form to tell us about yourself and what activities you'd be most interested in supporting as a volunteer. 

McKnight Fellowships for Writers, $25,000 Loft Awards in Poetry/Spoken Word and in Children’s Literature/Younger Children

DEADLINE: 11:59 p.m. CT Sunday, November 30, 2025. Entries must be submitted through our online portal Submittable by 11:59 p.m. CT. The Loft offices are closed on Sundays and Mondays, so please plan accordingly.

The Loft Literary Center is pleased to announce the 2026 McKnight Fellowships for Writers, made possible by the generous support of the McKnight Foundation. 

The McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowship disciplines include: Printmaking (Highpoint Center), Book Arts (MCBA), Fiber Arts (Textile Center), Choreographers and Dancers (Cowles Center), Media Artists (FilmNorth), Visual Artists (MCAD), Ceramics (Northern Clay Center), Composers (American Composers Forum), Musicians (MacPhail Center), Writers (Loft Literary Center), Playwrights (Playwrights’ Center), Theater Artists (Playwrights’ Center), Culture Bearers (Indigenous Roots), and Community-Engaged Artists (Pillsbury House).

ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The intent of the McKnight Artist and Culture Bearers Fellowships program is to recognize and support artists and culture bearers who are beyond emerging and have sustained experience in their area of practice. Fellows demonstrate achievement, commitment, and high level proficiency in artistic and/or culture bearer practice that contributes to their field and impacts and benefits people in Minnesota.

The McKnight Fellowships for Writers provide Minnesota writers who are beyond emerging with an opportunity to work on their craft for a concentrated period of time.

One $25,000 fellowship is awarded each year in children’s literature, including poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. This year’s award is offered to a writer for children under 8 years of age. 

Four $25,000 fellowships are offered in alternating years to writers of creative prose and poetry/spoken word. The 2024 year cycle is in poetry/spoken word.

There will be four awards for poetry/spoken word.

In addition to the award money, fellows are offered a variety of professional development opportunities, including an opportunity to participate in a fully-funded artist residency through a partnership with the Artist Communities Alliance. 

These fellowships do not support the work of playwriting, journalism, or nonfiction that is written primarily for educational or technical use. 

JUDGING FOR THE MCKNIGHT FELLOWSHIPS FOR WRITERS

Prominent writers and editors living outside of Minnesota serve as the judges. There are no screening judges. All manuscripts are judged anonymously.

Due to the number of entries received, it is not possible for the judges to make individual comments on the manuscripts.

ELIGIBILITY

General Requirements

Applicants must have been legal residents of Minnesota for the 12 months prior to the application deadline (since November 30, 2025) and must reside in Minnesota for the duration of the fellowship.

Applicants may not be enrolled full-time in any academic program.

Applicants may apply for only one McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowship per year. You may not apply for the Award in Poetry/Spoken Word and also apply for any other McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowships, including the Award in Children’s Literature.

Recipients of 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025 McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowships in any discipline are not eligible to apply. Honorable mentions are eligible. 

Loft and McKnight Foundation staff and board members are not eligible. Immediate family members of staff or board members of the Loft or McKnight Foundation are also not eligible.

If you have questions about your eligibility for the McKnight Fellowships for Writers, please email Cristeta Boarini, program manager of awards, at awards@loft.org before November 21, 2025. Please allow 3-5 days for a response as the volume of inquiries is high and the application deadline occurs over a federal holiday weekend.

Additional Requirements for the Awards in Poetry/Spoken Word

In addition to the general eligibility requirements, applicants must have either:

Published at least 12 original poems in no fewer than three literary journals or magazines that regularly feature poetry as part of their format. (Work published in an online journal that has an editorial process is eligible.) The same piece printed in a journal and in an anthology may only be counted once; applicants may not use multiple publications of the same work to meet the required number of pieces. 

or

Published at least one full-length collection of poetry (page ranges for full-length poetry collections depend on the preferences of the publisher but generally are between 40 and 80 pages of poems).

or

Produced a full-length spoken word audiobook.

or

Produced a one person show with a presenting organization—the show must have been written by the applicant.

or

Written and performed spoken word/performance work, in contracted arrangements, for a minimum of three years, and with a minimum of eight performances with a minimum time slot of 15 minutes per performance. The three years do not have to be consecutive. 

Work that is scheduled for publication/production between the contest deadline and April 1, 2026 may be included. In those cases, a letter from the press, editor, producer, community organizer, or curator stating the date of publication, release, or performance is required.

Additional Requirements for the Award in Children’s Literature: Writing for Children Under the Age of Eight

In addition to the general eligibility requirements, applicants must have:

Published a book for children under the age of eight, in any genre other than educational textbook material. 

or

Published at least three pieces of original work in one or more publications that regularly feature creative work for children under the age of eight as part of their format. Work published in an online journal that has an editorial process is eligible. Work published in an anthology is eligible. The same piece printed in a journal and in an anthology may only be counted once; applicants may not use multiple publications of the same work to meet the three required pieces. 

Work that is pending publication and will be published before April 1, 2026 is eligible. Please provide a letter from the editor or publisher with proof of publication.

Ineligible work in both awards:

• Student-only publications and self-published books.
• Work published on personal home pages or online sites that do not have an editorial process.
• Work in a genre outside the category in which you are applying. (e.g., creative prose may not be used to meet the publication requirements for the Award in Poetry/Spoken Word and children's literature for children eight years of age and older may not be used to meet the publication requirements for the Award in Children's Literature: Writing for Children Under the Age of Eight).
• A feature performance at a venue where the lineup is curated by the applicant.
• Work that has previously won a McKnight Fellowship for Writers. If you are a previous winner, you must submit a manuscript different from the one for which you received the earlier award.
• Translations.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Please prepare your writing/performance sample. Work samples may be published writing. All work samples must be anonymous. If your name appears as part of the manuscript text, omit it, use a pseudonym, or black it out so it is illegible. Do not include your name as part of the writing sample file name. Identifying information should only be included in the Submittable application form, which is concealed to the judge. Identifying information anywhere in the submitted files of your work sample will disqualify your submission.

You must apply through Submittable, and you will need to create a Submittable account if you do not already have one. If you have technical submission questions, please contact Submittable technical support at http://help.submittable.com/.

WORK SAMPLE

Loft Awards in Poetry/Spoken Word: Applicants must submit at least 15 but no more than 18 pages of a poetry manuscript (12-point font). Do not put more than one poem per page. Applicants may also submit 8–10 minutes of audio recorded poetry. If you are submitting an audio recording of spoken word poetry, you must ALSO include a written transcript in a document. Work samples may be submitted as PDF, DOC, or DOCX. Audio files may be submitted as MP3 or WAV files.

PROOF OF PUBLICATION

Applicants will need to provide proof of each publication necessary to meet eligibility. For books, we will need a photocopy or scanned image of the title and copyright pages. For journals and anthologies, we will need photocopies or scanned documents of either the cover or title page of the journal/anthology as well as the table of contents page(s) and the pages on which your work appears. If it is an online publication that has an editorial process, please provide links or screenshots of the publication. For audio publications, a scan of the album cover. For proof of a one person show, please provide a scan of the program for the event or a short letter from the producer or presenting organization. For proof of being a feature performer, please provide a simple list stating the performance venue and name, and month/date/time of the feature performances—you need only provide enough proof of performances to meet the eligibility requirement. Please collect all of these files into a single document for upload (PDF, DOC, or DOCX).

PROOF OF RESIDENCY

In your eligibility documentation document, please also include a photocopy or scan of your valid MN state ID or a copy of a utilities bill with your name and address and date. Failure to provide any of this eligibility proof will disqualify your application. 

Loft Award in Children’s Literature: 

Applicants must submit a manuscript that is at least five but no more than 20 pages in length and that is written for children under the age of eight. Picture book applicants may submit more than one manuscript to reach five pages. Manuscripts may be in prose or poetry, or a combination of the two. Prose manuscripts should be double-spaced. Poetry may be single- or double-spaced. All manuscripts must be typed in a 12-point font. Work samples may be submitted as PDF, DOC, or DOCX files.

PROOF OF PUBLICATION

Applicants will need to provide proof of each publication necessary to meet eligibility. For books, we will need a photocopy or scanned image of the title and copyright pages. For journals and anthologies, we will need photocopies or scanned documents of either the cover or title page of the journal/anthology as well as the table of contents page and the pages on which your work appears. If it is an online publication that has an editorial process, please provide links or screenshots of the publication. Please collect all of these files into a single document for upload (PDF, DOC, or DOCX).

PROOF OF RESIDENCY

In your eligibility documentation document, please also include a photocopy or scan of your valid MN state ID or a copy of a recent utilities bill with your name and address and date. Failure to provide any of this eligibility proof will disqualify your application. A utilities bill includes phone, TV, internet, solid waste, sewer, electric, gas, water, rent or mortgage statement.

Deadline: All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on November 30, 2025. No exceptions. The Loft offices are closed on Sundays and Mondays. Plan ahead and give yourself extra time. We cannot accommodate late entries due to internet difficulty. If you have questions, please contact program manager of partnerships Cristeta Boarini at awards@loft.org and book an appointment or conversation preferably at least 10 days in advance. Anyone waiting until the last week of the deadline may not be accommodated depending on scheduling.

Notification: Entrants will be notified of their status by the end of April 2026. Winners will begin receiving payments in May 2026.