We offer free evening and weekend workshops designed to foster creativity, strengthen writing skills, and provide students with a forum for executing projects they might not otherwise have the support to undertake. Workshops range from the playful to the practical, and all are taught by volunteer writers, artists, educators, and publishing professionals.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to increased demand, enrollment for workshops are now determined by lottery. Once you have signed up for a workshop, please look for an email from workshops@826nyc.org, verifying that we have received your request. If you have not heard from us after 48 hours, feel free to call.
Our workshops are limited enrollment and often generate wait lists. With this in mind, please only sign up if you can make every session of a workshop. Thank you!
D.I.Y. A Book-making Workshop for the Craftiest Writers
3 Wednesday sessions: July 16, 23, 30 (2008)
1-2:30pm
Taught by Kate Ackerman & Esther Smith
For ages 8-12
We know you have a million ideas for stories floating around in your head. And maybe you're growing weary of typing them into your computer or writing them in that tattered journal of yours. In this workshop, learn amazing techniques for making your very own BOOKS! Each week will be devoted to a different book structure, so by the end of the workshop, you will have three brand new, handmade-by-YOU books to take home.
I'm SOOOOO Bored
3 Monday sessions: July 14, 21, 28 (2008)
3-4:30pm
Taught by Kate Ackerman
For ages 9-12
School's out for the summer! Now what? Help us write a kids-only guide to exploring NYC's five boroughs. Contribute your expert advice as we create a guidebook that will reveal the city's best-kept secrets. From YOUR perspective. Maybe you'll let us in on the best place to go in NYC when you need a good laugh? Or your favorite scooter routes? Or perhaps the most delicious Italian ice cart in your neighborhood? Above all else, you will leave this class with a comprehensive guide to banishing boredom!
Writing Short Fiction
3 Sunday sessions: July 13, 20, 27 (2008)
3-5pm
Taught by Matt Goodman
For ages 11-16
Fiction can be terrifyingly long, and writing your lengthy epic can seem both noble and scary. But fiction can also be short, and in this workshop, that's the way we'd like to keep it. If you want to practice writing short stories so you can move on to crafting Moby Dick-length epics or to refine your ability to pack the best writing into the shortest length, then this workshop is for you. Throughout the workshop we'll examine a few short story writers and how they formulate plot and define character in their work. We'll also have writing sessions where we simply sit and write - how else are we going to get better?
Dance Dance Rock Band Hero!
4 sessions (Tuesdays and Thursdays): July 1, 3, 8, 10 (2008)
1-3pm
Taught by Patrick Daughters and John Flansburgh
For ages 6-8
Rockstars: It's time to set your dance pads, guitar grips, and fret buttons aside. This July, get your real rock on at 826NYC. In four sessions - with the help of experts John Flansburgh and Patrick Daughters - we will dance, revolutionize, and rock the music video world with actual singing and dancing. By the end of this summer, you'll have written and recorded an original song and music video.
Students must attend ALL FOUR SESSIONS of this workshop!
PLEASE NOTE: Enrollment for this workshop will be determined by LOTTERY. Please submit the information below by or on June 25th to be considered for this class. The lottery will be conducted on June June 26th. Parents will be notified of enrollment by email (so please be sure to include your email address when signing up!).
Stop the Madness! Storytelling Through Stop Animation
3 Monday sessions: June 23, 30, July 7 (2008)
3-5pm
Taught by Wes Price
For ages 9-14
Do you love to watch cartoons? Have you ever dreamed of working at one of those big time, animation studios? If so, learn the history and early techniques of this highly creative art form. Develop your animation storytelling skills without depending on complicated technology. Anyone with a digital camera and an active imagination can create their own animated movies in this fun, interactive three session course.
Please note: Students must attend ALL three sessions of this workshop!
Science Club: Bird's Eye View of an Owl's Diet
1 Sunday session: June 8 (2008)
12-1:30pm
Taught by Elaine Palucki & Jon Risk
For ages 6-11
Is it true that "you are what you eat?" Ever wonder what it would look like to see what you can and can't digest? Join Elaine and Jon as we dissect owl pellets to find out what animals owls eat! We'll learn how energy moves through food webs and see how animals are connected in ecosystems.
