The Attic Atheneum

The Attic has announced its new program to help writers achieve a higher level of craft with a wonderful alternative to the regular MFA or low-residency MFA. The Attic Atheneum. A masters certificate program that will run for 11-months. Each genre will accept only 4 students and the student to mentor ratio will end up being 2:1. Local poet David Biespiel and founder of The Attic wanted to add something to the Portland Literary scene. 

So, over the years, I’ve considered how the Attic might invent an alternative to the MFA that can provide the same depth of instruction while also helping to reinforce and catalyze new literary activity in Portland. I have long thought that such a program can’t just duplicate the MFA model — nor can it stray from the Attic experience of inspiration and motivation that our workshops have come to embody. But now (to paraphrase Professor Henry Higgins) I think I’ve finally got it! 

The Attic will continue running amazing opportunities for writers and they have just added a low-cost program that will really push writers to reach their next level. The Atheneum seems to be an incredible structure for that purpose and has this writer considering an application. Local writers will act as the mentors in the program including Mr. Biespiel himself, Karen Karbo, Kevin Sampsell, G. Xavier Robillard, Paulann Petersen and Merridawn Duckler, an outstanding cast of local authors who will help inspire and polish any writer they may work with. Interested in a local program without the same commitment of time and cash as an MFA? Check out the Attic Atheneum!