Living Into Our Vision
September 1, 2023–August 31, 2024
Dear Loft Community,
Fifty years ago, a group of radical poets came together with a vision to create a space where writers could connect, learn, and grow. That seed took root, and over the past five decades, the Loft has blossomed into one of the nation’s most vibrant literary centers. As we reflect on this milestone anniversary, we celebrate not only where we’ve been but where we are going—continuing to cultivate a thriving literary ecosystem that champions antiracism, equity, craft, and authentic engagement in community.
In this landmark year, we honored our past and set the stage for the future. We gathered as a community for our 50th anniversary celebration with Roxane Gay, published a commemorative chapbook featuring dozens of contributors with significant lived experiences with the Loft, inaugurated a new city poet laureate, launched a new fundraising campaign, and sharpened our vision for the years ahead. With every workshop, mentorship, and reading, we reaffirmed our commitment to supporting readers and writers at every stage of their journey.
Our impact continues to grow. In the last year alone, the Loft paid out $444,669 in artist compensation and provided $149,000 in artist support through our awards programs. Additionally, to mitigate financial barriers to our programs and events, the Loft provided the equivalent of $91,831 in discounted registrations and admissions. More than 3,000 students from 48 states and four countries participated in our classes and programs, finding inspiration, community, and confidence in their creative pursuits.
As Heid E. Erdrich, Loft Year-Long Writing Project Teaching Artist and Inaugural Minneapolis Poet Laureate shared: "I have worked with dozens and dozens of institutions. None have ever made me feel as supported or accepting of my freedom of speech as the Loft…It remains, if not my church, my sanctuary."
Or as one recent Loft student, Dara T., wrote:
“My class just wrapped up and I just had to tell you all what a gift it was! [My teaching artist] is an absolute treasure, and her prompts led me (and I could tell, several others) to some incredible breakthroughs…I take a lot of writing classes and this one was phenomenal."
Stories like Heid’s and Dara’s fuel our work. They remind us that the Loft is more than an organization—it is a home for readers and writers, a catalyst for creativity, and a force for growth, community, change, and resistance. As Padráig Ó Tuama reminded us, “It is in the shelter (and shadow) of each other that the people live.” As we live through these challenging times, we remain steadfast in our mission to uplift voices; remove barriers for BIPOC, marginalized and immigrant writers and communities; and create space for the poems and stories that heal and affirm our collective humanity.
To all who have been part of the Loft’s journey, past and present—our team, board members, teaching artists, fellows, students, donors, partners, and the entire literary community—THANK YOU! Your passion and support make everything we do possible. As we step into our next 50 years, we do so with deep gratitude, determination, and a steadfast belief in people exercising their power with words.
In Sweetness and Solidarity,
Arleta Little
Executive & Artistic Director
Melinda Ward
Board Chair