Partner Classes

What do we do?

Partner Classes (formerly Writers in Communities) sends professional writers and artists into diverse community settings to work alongside students of all ages, needs, interests and abilities for free.  With an average ratio of 10 to 1, our teaching artists work closely with students to create dynamic writing projects that reflect their own lives, challenge them creatively, and build critical reading and writing skills.

Who do we serve?

Partner Classes serves an estimated 1300 students each year through in-person workshops with 75% of those being people of color. Our free writing workshops are offered at libraries, schools, senior centers, prisons, and rehabilitation centers across the city, among other settings. 70% of sites serve youth from grades K-12th. 40% of sites serve elementary school-aged children, 30% of sites serve teenagers, and 30% of sites serve adults.

Who are our writers?

The Partner Classes program stands apart from similar arts programs thanks to the excellence of its faculty. All of our writers are accomplished creative professionals, all of whom have a background or interest in education and a passion for the written word.

What kinds of writing do we teach?

Partner Classes hosts writing workshops in various genres, including poetry, short fiction, personal narrative, storytelling, and spoken word. Many of our workshops are also interdisciplinary, incorporating art forms such as photography, theater, and music.

How long is a workshop?

The length of a workshop depends on the partnering organization’s needs, but we recommend at least 10 or more instructional hours for students in K-12.

How much does a workshop cost?

The cost of a Partner Classes workshop depends on multiple factors such as the number of writer-instructors needed, the number of students, the number of instructional hours, and whether the workshop will culminate in a final product. A budget is available upon request.

Who funds our workshops?

Partner Classes workshops are funded by fee-for-service and grants from public and private funders in the arts and humanities, which ensures that they remain free for participants.

What is the process for setting up a workshop?

1. The organization emails an inquiry to our Director of Programs, who will then set up a meeting to discuss partnership goals.
2. The Director of Programs will draft a budget based on the partnering organization’s specifications.
3. Once the budget is approved, Gemini Ink and the partnering organization sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

For more information about partnerships, contact Florinda Flores-Brown at fbrown@geminiink.org.

For general inquiries about Partner Classes, contact Catherine Burianek at cburianek@geminiink.org.