During Big Day of Giving, our region will rally around the nonprofits that make the capital area our home—and that can use our support, now more than ever. On Thursday, May 7, visit
https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/sacpoetrycenter and support our efforts to bring more poetry and workshops to you during a time when connection is needed. We will be exploring opportunities to have big names in poetry join us as well, and your contribution can help us to afford their time.
Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference for us.
SPC was founded in 1979, and has presented hundreds of readings and poetry workshops at venues all over Sacramento in the last 38 years. In the early years, SPC held readings featuring Gary Snyder, Robert Hass, Jane Hirshfield, and William Stafford, and many other prominent national poets. In the last ten years, SPC has focused on providing a space for local writers to read, while trying to bring in poets from outside California on an occasional basis. We bring in poets from many communities as well – youth poets, senior writing groups, community colleges, high schools. SPC readings feature both published and unpublished writers, spoken word artists and poets who read from the page.
In addition to the reading series, SPC publishes an annual literary journal, and a book selected by a judge in a blind competition process. SPC volunteers also work in schools to help young people write or perform their poetry. We have helped students in the Poetry Out Loud competition, and we have put on classes for incarcerated men at New Folsom State Prison. To bring poetry to more people, SPC also collaborates with many other organizations, from The Crocker Art Museum to 916 Ink, from the MIND Institute to Every Fourth Woman. We organize and present well over a hundred events or workshops every year, with an all-volunteer working board of directors.
Needs Statement
Facility Cost: SPC needs to continue improving our space on 25th Street. Many local writers and artists use this space, and we need new chairs and improved lighting. Annual operating costs are $14,000 a year, and for capital improvements we need $1,500.
Publishing: SPC publishes Tule Review, a nationally recognized literary journal, and while volunteers do all the editing work, production and distribution runs $2500 a year. We would greatly appreciate a sponsor for Tule Review.
Honoraria for Poets: SPC offers honoraria to selected poets who read in Sacramento, and plans to bring a nationally recognized poet to Sacramento each year. In 2014, we spent over $6,000 on honoraria, and presented dozens of acclaimed writers, including Brenda Hillman and Pulitzer prize-winner Stephen Dunn. In 2016, we spent approximately to $7,000 to bring in the U.S. Poet Laureate, Juan Felipe Herrera, and California Poet Laureate Dana Gioia.
Our top needs:
1. Funding: Program – Facility Cost: SPC needs to continue improving our space on 25th Street. Many local writers and artists use this space, and we need new chairs and improved lighting. Annual operating costs are $14,000 a year, and for capital improvements we need $1,500.
2. Funding: Program – Publishing: SPC publishes Tule Review, a nationally recognized literary journal, and while volunteers do all the editing work, production and distribution runs $2,500 a year. We would greatly appreciate a sponsor for Tule Review.
3. Funding: Program – Honoraria for Poets: SPC offers honoraria to selected poets who read in Sacramento, and plans to bring a nationally recognized poet to Sacramento each year. In 2016, we spent over 7,000 on honoraria, and presented dozens of acclaimed writers, including Juan Felipe Herrera and Dana Gioia.
4. Funding: Other – Ongoing cleaning service so that we can continue to utilize the space fully
5. Technology – Would appreciate free wi-fi service. This assists in publicizing events, providing social media streaming of events, and sharing of readings with local poetry supporters who may be interested in particular readings, but who cannot attend on certain days of the week.
