• March 27, 2024
          BIPOC Reading Series March
          April 4, 2024
          Everybody Reads 2024: Gabrielle Zevin
          April 8, 2024
          2024 Oregon Book Awards Ceremony
          April 18, 2024
          Aimee Nezhukumatathil: Portland Arts & Lectures 2023/24
  • Box Office

Youth Programs

Inspiring local high school students through transformative experiences in the classroom and the concert hall.

The Youth Programs of Literary Arts inspire our city’s youth to find their stories and play an active role in the broader community. We provide opportunities for high school students to use their voice through creative writing, Q&As with authors, student readings, and spoken word performance. Much of our work prioritizes underserved communities, and we strive to make our programs as equitable as possible.

Writers in the Schools

Literary Arts hires professional writers to teach creative writing residencies in public high school classrooms. Residencies culminate in student readings, an annual anthology, and a celebration at the Portland Book Festival.

About WITS

Students to the Schnitz

By partnering with local schools and community groups Literary Arts provides students with books, tickets, and transportation to concert hall events and bring visiting authors to engage with students at local high schools.

About Students to the Schnitz

Verselandia!

This city-wide youth poetry slam offers a public platform for local high school students to showcase their talents on stage. Each year, more than 20 students compete at the championship event, hosted at the historic Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

College Essay Exchange

Volunteers help mentor high school juniors and seniors to brainstorm, edit, and craft personal statements for college applications. Learn more about how to get involved and volunteer.

Learn More About College Essay Mentoring

Upcoming Youth Events

April 25, 2024
Verselandia! Youth Poetry Slam Championship (2024)