Access Funds
Access Fund Offerings
A variety of Loft programming is available at a discounted rate with Access Funds, including adult classes, youth classes, Lit!Series conference, Lit!Commons subscriptions, Year-Long Writing Projects, and more.
Loft Classes
Loft teaching artists are experienced, professional writers. More importantly, they are committed to working with a wide range of writers—from new writers building their confidence to experienced writers ready to hone their craft and seek publication. Access Fund participants are encouraged to sign up for two Loft classes and workshops per season.
Lit!Commons
Loft Lit!Commons is a new virtual gathering space designed to guide writers to achieve their most common writing goals. Your personalized, transformative journey will help you overcome barriers, sharpen skills, develop habits, connect with fellow writers, amplify your creativity, and explore publishing options. Access Fund Pool participants can request a yearly subscription to this vibrant community.
Apply for Year-Long Writing Project Access Fund Award
The Loft's Year-Long Writing Projects can help you take the next year to make your novel, memoir, nonfiction, or poetry collection the best you can make it. The Year-Long Writing Project is the only Loft offering that requires a separate Access Fund application from the Access Fund Pool. Seats are highly competitive, so learn more and apply below! There are two awards per cohort.
Application Rubric
Please know our scholarship committee reads every application we receive and evaluates them holistically based on four central factors (in no particular order):
- Describe your current writing project
- Demonstrated interest in the art and craft of writing
- Desire for resources and community
- Experienced financial and lived barriers to participation in artistic career development
Application Timeline
- Sept 24 - Nov 15 at 11:59 PM CST: Application closes
- Nov 15 - December 29: Selection committee will review applications, with input from teaching artists, and Loft will reach out to Access Fund finalists
Youth Access Funds
The Loft is pleased to announce our partnership with the Hearst Foundation to offer access funding to all of our youth writing camps and classes in 2024-2025. Access Funds through Hearst Funds reduce the cost of class tuition on a Pay As You Can model - student pays on a sliding fee schedule of 5% or 25% of the cost of tuition. There are at least two Access Fund seats in each youth class, but please give us a call or send an email to see what is available! You can also join the Youth Access Funds Pool to learn about discounted classes and events on a monthly basis.
Check out Loft youth writing classes here for Grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12. Please contact the Loft’s education department at 612-379-8999 or [email protected] if you have any questions regarding youth access funds.
Develop new skills
Loft After-School Online: Graphic Novel Classics–Fahrenheit 451
Grades 7-12
4 Tuesdays
Starting Feb 4, 2025
Find new community
Loft After School Online: Character Development for Grades 10-12
Grades 10-12
4 Wednesdays
Starting Feb 5, 2025
Jumpstart creativity
World-Building–Create Your Own Fantasy or Sci Fi World
Grades 4-6
February 15, 2025 @ 9 AM - 12 PM CT
The Loft at Open Book
Build strong habits
Finding the Poet Within
Grades 7-12
February 15, 2025 @ 9 AM - 12 PM CT
The Loft at Open Book
Make new connections
Nature Writing
Grades 10-12
February 15, 2025 @ 1 - 4 PM CT
The Loft at Open Book
Find Your Passion
Scrapbook Poetry
Grades 7-12
February 15, 2025 @ 1 - 4 PM CT
The Loft at Open Book
Testimonial
“I want to express my gratitude for the generous Access Funds–once again Loft is playing an important role in my journey as a writer…”
Sign Up Today
The Loft's Access Fund program is accepting applications on a rolling basis. Once admitted, students will join a pool of participants who can request Loft offerings for discounted tuition. Students may remain in the Pool for up to 3 years before re-applying. The Loft's Access Fund program is supported by the generosity of the Friends of Loft and general supporters and through grant contributions.
What are Access Funds?
The Loft's mission is to advance the power of writers and readers to craft and share stories, to create and celebrate connections, and to build just, life-sustaining communities. To that end, the Loft Access Fund program strives to make Loft classes and offerings accessible for as many constituents as possible and remove all barriers, including financial ones, to participate in our programming. The Loft's Access Fund program has assisted hundreds of people in joining our programs and advancing their skills as writers. The Loft's Access Fund program actively recruits, welcomes, and supports writers who are diverse and inclusive of people who are underrepresented in the development of the literary ecosystem in Minnesota and beyond.