· Open Book Vision Lauded in New York Times
The Open Book Literary Arts Center and the vision behind its creation has lead the way to neighborhood revitalization and the blossoming of an "arts corrider" along Washington Avenue in Minneapolis. Read all about it in a feature article appearing in the April 30th issue of the New York Times. New York Times Article

· Shabo Award in Children's Literature Guidelines
The Shabo Award is a program to help develop "nearly there" picture book manuscripts into publishable pieces. Up to eight advanced writers will be chosen to participate in a master class, with follow-up individualized attention to polish their manuscript. Guidelines

· Summer Creative Writing for Adults
Register now for adult summer classes, workshops, retreats, and intensives. Get the support and energy you need to explore your personal literary vision. Courses at every level in a communty of writers just like you. Education Open House: Thursday, May 29, 5 – 8 pm. Instructor presentations, registration discounts, giveaways, refreshments.  Adult Education

· inkTANK: New Loft Teen Council
A Loft teen council, inkTANK, has been established to encourage and empower high school students to use literary tools to express themselves. inkTANK will exist as a self-sufficient working group of teens who will be supported and guided in workshops by Loft Staff, writers and community artists. inkTANK

· Summer Creative Writing for Kids & Teens
Week-long classes and one-day workshops for kids (7 – 14) and Teens (12 – 18) are a summertime favorite at the Loft. Register now for an awesome summertime experience!
Summer Youth Courses    

· 2008 McKnight Artist Fellowship Winners Announced

Winners of $25,000 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers, Loft Awards in Poetry/Spoken Word were selected by judge Martín Espada. The winners are Ed Bok Lee, David Mura, Jude Nutter, and Larry Schug. Honorable mentions went to Heid Erdrich, Kathryn Kysar, John Reinhard, and Mike Rollin. Winner of the fellowship in children's literature, selected by Judge Emily Easton, is Marsha Wilson Chall. Honorable mentions went to Gwenyth Swain, Lauren Stringer, and Lindsay Lee Johnson. 2008 Winners  

· Rachel Vaughan Memorial Fund Established
This fund has been established as a memorial for Rachel Vaughan by her family and the Loft and is dedicated to providing scholarship and other aid to writers with disabilities and students of color with financial need. Rachel Vaughan Fund

· Carol Bly Memorial Fund
The Loft extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and students of Carol Bly, who died in December. Carol was one of Minnesota’s leading writers and a longtime Loft member and instructor. The family requests memorials to the Carol Bly Fund at the Loft Literary Center, or the donor’s choice. 
        Carol Bly Memorial Fund Donations 
        Remembering Carol Bly (TPT video clip) 
        Star Tribune Article
        Carol Bly on Peace (Mike Hazard video clip)
          Carol Bly Obituary

· Intern Positions at the Loft
Applications are being accepted for the positions of Development and Technology Interns at the Loft. Details 

  
· The Loft is on MySpace and Facebook!
Now you can connect with the Loft via online networking communities: 
        www.myspace.com/theloftliterarycenter
        www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6150512846