WRITERS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM OUTSIDE ONTARIO
Below is a brief summary of programs that support author visits in schools outside of Ontario. For eligibility requirements and application guidelines, please visit the programs' respective websites. In most cases, in order to participate in these programs you must be a member of the organization and/or a resident in that province.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
- Off the Page School Program: Administered by the Federation of BC Writers, this program subsidizes author visits to BC public schools to engage and inspire children through literature. Funded by ArtStarts.
ALBERTA
- Writers in Schools Program: The Canadian Author Association Alberta Branch runs this program to support author visits in Alberta schools. Unfortunately, this program is not running in 2015 due to a loss of funding.
SASKATCHEWAN
- SWG Author Readings Program: Run by the Saskatchewan Writers Guild, this program makes it possible for people of all ages to meet and listen to their favourite Saskatchewan authors and storytellers. Schools, libraries, writing groups, community organizations and readers around the province can apply.
MANITOBA
- Artists in the Schools Program: Run by the Manitoba Arts Council, Manitoba-based schools (grades K-12) can apply to this program to subsidize artist visits (including authors) to their school. Application deadline is May 15 each year.
QUEBEC
- Culture in the Schools Program: Administered by the Quebec Writers' Federation, this program gives students and teachers the opportunity to meet a professional writer in the classroom to exchange ideas about writing, language and literature, or various aspects of the writing profession. The program is intended for students of Quebec public and private educational institutions in the French-language and English-language sectors, at the pre-school, primary and secondary levels.
NEW BRUNSWICK
- Writers in the Schools Program: Administered by the Writers' Federation of New Brunswick, this program brings authors and illustrators into New Brunswick schools. Participating authors must be members of the Federation.
NOVA SCOTIA
- Writers in the Schools Program: Administered by the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia, this program supports author visit to Nova Scotia based schools (grade K-12).
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
- Writers in the Schools Program: Administered by the PEI Writers' Guild, the Guild would match authors with teachers and support all fees associated with the school visits. This program is not currently running due to lack of funding.
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
- School Touring Program: Administered by the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, this program is available to professional artists, groups, and not-for-profit arts organizations to support significant touring productions to schools throughout the province
ONTARIO WRITERS-IN-THE-SCHOOLS
Applications are now closed for virtual visits taking place between September 1 and December 31.
Please read the information below carefully before applying.
CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM
With the assistance of the Ontario Arts Council, The Writers’ Union of Canada funds author visits to Ontario elementary and secondary schools.
In order to continue to provide students access to Canadian writers as public health guidelines change in response to the evolving COVID-19 situation, the Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program is currently funding virtual school presentations. We are not currently funding in-person school visits.
INFORMATION FOR AUTHORS
TWUC members will apply directly for funding for virtual school presentations. Participating authors will deliver a presentation for virtual classroom use.
INFORMATION FOR SCHOOLS
Schools will no longer apply directly to this program. Teachers who wish to host a virtual author presentation must contact the requested author and ask them to apply for funding through this program. There are two ways to contact authors:
- Use the Member Directory to check the author’s profile for an email address or phone number.
- Send an email to the author care of The Writers’ Union of Canada to info@writersunion.ca.
Please note that author contact information is intended for the purposes of booking only. Please respect authors’ privacy.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
Authors participating in this program must be members of the Union. Each member is eligible for up to six virtual visits for the 2021 fiscal year (April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022).
Each school is eligible for one virtual presentation for the fiscal year (April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022). Funding from the Ontario Arts Council supports virtual presentations for elementary and secondary schools in Ontario. Post-secondary institutions are not eligible.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Participating authors will deliver a virtual presentation (with audio and video) suitable for virtual classroom use.
When applying for funding, authors must have an arrangement with the school to participate in the program but are not required to have an exact date confirmed in advance.
Click here for suggestions on connecting with teachers and schools.
Click here for tips on a successful virtual school presentation.
VIRTUAL PRESENTATION
Be sure to consult with the teacher about what format will work for their classroom, including any privacy or online security considerations. Advance discussions will ensure the best virtual presentation for each classroom.
AUTHOR FUNDING
The Writers’ Union of Canada values the labour of authors and understands the challenges teachers are facing during the current pandemic. To ensure students can continue to have access to Canadian writers during this challenging period, the school’s portion of the author’s fee has been waived for the Fall 2021 session.
TWUC members apply directly for funding for virtual school presentations. The Union pays the author’s fee of $300 per virtual school presentation.
Participating authors will be required to submit a report that includes the date of the presentation to the school, and the number of students who accessed the presentation.
Fees are paid directly to the author following the successful completion of the presentation and receipt of the author’s Reading Report and Invoice.
EQUITY INITIATIVE
As part of the Union’s Equity Implementation Plan, applications from authors who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQI2S, or living with a disability will be prioritized. To ensure your application is prioritized, submit by the appropriate session deadline.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Author presentations should acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council through The Writers’ Union of Canada.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for virtual school visits taking place between January 1, 2022 and March 31, 2022 will be available on September 7 with a deadline of November 2, 2021.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information contact Office Administrator Valerie Laws at info@writersunion.ca.
This program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council.
