What ALPS Is

Alternative Literary programs (ALPS) has funded writers' appearances on a matching funds basis in school settings in over 35 counties in Upstate New York and on Long Island. ALPS writers are recognized artists in poetry, prose and storytelling and have extensive classroom teaching experience. While we offer programs in all the major Upstate urban areas, ALPS also provides substantial cultural services to rural schools and communities.

In an ALPS school-community residency, an artist spends a minimum of five days at a school (we recommend 10 day programs), teaches four classes each day, conducts in-service workshops for teachers and either edits a magazine of student work or coordinates a presentation of student writing for parents, staff and classmates. In addition to the in-school services, the artist conducts readings or workshops open to the general public. We encourage extended and multiple residency programs. Our visits can be designed for teachers and students at any grade or level. School site sponsors can use a variety of ways to pay their share of residency fees. Residencies have been supported through district monies, BOCES and local arts councils, PTA's, CIMS reading development services and both talented student and remedial programs.

Almost all ALPS artists live in or near the communities they serve. We provide programming by individuals committed to both their discipline and their region. Area coordinators administer ALPS regionally for greater efficiency and flexibility. ALPS generates income, recognition and appreciation for the contribution of artists to their communities. We are dedicated to helping school districts, schools and teachers integrate language arts and artists into the curriculum. We believe that basic grammar skills, reading and writing are best taught when both student and teachers gain a personal appreciation of language by creating their poetry, prose and stories under the direction of a dedicated professional artist.

Since ALPS is really the artists in our program, we offer you this selection of members as a definition: our biographies, our faces and our work.

For further information about ALPS; its cost to you, the varieties of presentation, praise from schools and institutions, and the availability of open program dates, please contact ALPS by e-mail at alpswriters@mail.global2000.net or telephone us at 1-518-765-2613 or 1-800-862-2861 (in New York State).
Thank you.
Michael Rutherford
Director, ALPS


A publicly supported non-profit organization partially funded by the New York State Writers Institute
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

thanks to the following organizations, groups and individuals: