American Writers Museum to Host Teachers Brunch, Donate Books to Schools, and Offer a Wide Array of Education Programs and Events

(CHICAGO- August 10, 2018) – American Writers Museum (AWM) is inviting teachers to a complimentary event on Sunday, August 19 from 10:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. to tour the museum, enjoy coffee and pastries, and hear from AWM staff about the museum’s field trip programs and student materials. A valid school ID is required to receive free admission. Free admission for teachers is offered on August 19, 2018 only. RSVP to education@americanwritersmuseum.org or call 312.374.8790.

Write In is the AWM’s in-museum youth education program for middle and high school students. It combines the unique experience of an AWM field trip with specially-designed curriculum that uses its exhibits and featured authors to encourage young people to write with creativity and confidence. The curriculum helps students have a more meaningful experience during their 90-minute visit, and can be continued and expanded by teachers in the classroom. The Write In curriculum is part of all scheduled field trips. Write In is supported by the Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust, the Combe Family, the Ralph and Evelyn Davis Family Foundation and the Irvin Stern Foundation.

In partnership with the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives and Allstate Insurance Company, more than 1,200 students, primarily in low-income schools that visit the museum through the Write In program, will receive a copy of a special Bicentennial edition of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave. The museum’s special exhibit Frederick Douglass AGITATOR, June 22 – December 31, 2018, explores Douglass as an activist, orator and self-taught writer.

Upcoming Events:

  • Thursday, August 16, 6:30 p.m. Science Friday: A Celebration of Great Science Writing Public Radio’s Science Friday comes to the American Writers Museum for a celebration of Great Science Writing with Undiscovered Podcast host Annie Minoff and authors David Quammen and Sy Montgomery. Books will be sold before and after the event. $25 admission.
  • Saturday, August 18 & 25, 10:30 a.m. Little Squirrels Storytime Bring your little book lover to our children’s storytime every Saturday morning. For preschool-age children with a caregiver. Free. Museum admission not included.
  • Monday, August 27, 6:30 p.m. Special Event: Norman Mailer and the Siege of Chicago An event in honor of the publication of Norman Mailer’s Library of America volumes, with Mailer scholar J. Michael Lennon and NPR’s Maureen Corrigan in conversation. Books will be sold before and after the event. Free with museum admission or membership.
  • Saturday, September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10:30 a.m. Little Squirrels Storytime Bring your little book lover to our children’s storytime every Saturday morning. For preschool-age children with a caregiver. Free. Museum admission not included.
  • Tuesday, September 4, 6:30 p.m. Surprise Bookshelf Series: Fearless Women in Science Fiction Mary Robinette Kowal (The Fated Sky), Sue Burke (Semiosis) and Tessa Gratton (The Queens of Innis Lear) read from their novels and talk sci-fi writing as women in the contemporary era. Books will be sold before and after the event. Free with museum admission or membership.
  • Thursday, September 6, 6:30 p.m. David L. Carlson, The Hunting Accident Written by Carlson and illustrated by Landis Blair, The Hunting Accident is a graphic novel telling the true story of Charlie Rizzo and his father Matt, who was blinded during an armed robbery. Books will be sold before and after the event. Free with museum admission or membership.
  • Friday, September 7, 6:30 p.m. Surprise Bookshelf Series: Jacqueline Woodson The award-winning author, National Book Award winner and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Woodson presents her two newest books for young readers, Harbor Me and The Day You Begin. Books will be sold before and after the event. Free with museum admission or membership.
  • Tuesday, September 11, 6:30 p.m. Surprise Bookshelf Series: Nnedi Okorafor An evening with the international award-winning and national bestselling author of Who Fears Death (A World Fantasy award-winner) and Black Panther: Long Live the King among many other works. Books will be sold before and after the event. Free with museum admission or membership.
  • Thursday, September 20, 6:30 p.m. The Frederick Douglass Mixtape A one-night-only workshop and open mic with Young Chicago Authors’ Tim “Toaster” Henderson responding to AWM’s new exhibit, Frederick Douglass: Agitator. Free.
  • Friday, September 21, 6:30 p.m. Singers & Songwriters: Dessa Rapper, singer and essayist Dessa talks poetry, lyrics and her new book, My Own Devices. Books will be sold before and after the event. $26 admission includes book.
  • Saturday, October 6, 6:30 p.m. Singers & Songwriters: Ketch Secor Old Crow Medicine founder Ketch Secor presents his new book Lorraine, with illustrator Higgins Bond. $18 admission includes book.
  • Saturday, December 1, 6:30 p.m. Singers & Songwriters: Robbie Fulks Alternative country singer-songwriter Robbie Fulks discusses his writing process and the impact songwriting has had on American writing. Free with museum admission or membership.  
  • Thursday, September 27, 6:30 p.m. Surprise Bookshelf Series: Ken Krimstein, The Three Escapes of Hannah Arendt The New Yorker cartoonist’s page-turning graphic biography of Hannah Arendt, the most prominent philosopher of the 20th century. Books will be sold before and after the event. Free with museum admission or membership

 

Museum admission includes special exhibits and programs. For tickets and more information, please visit americanwritersmuseum.org.

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About American Writers Museum

The American Writers Museum is the first museum of its kind in the United States. The mission of the American Writers Museum is to engage the public in celebrating American writers and exploring their influence on our history, our identity, and our daily lives. The museum is located at 180 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60601, and offers something for every age group including permanent exhibits and special galleries highlighting America’s favorite works and the authors behind them. Tickets to the museum are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and free for children ages 12 and under. Museum hours are Monday – Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM, Thursdays 10 AM- 6 PM. For more information visit www.americanwritersmuseum.org or call 312-374-8790.

American Writers Museum
Contact: Karie McGahan
312.374.8790
mcgahan@americanwritersmuseum.org