The Attic Atheneum (Master Writing Program)

The Attic Atheneum is our groundbreaking alternative to traditional or low-residency MFAs.

An 11-month certificate program, the Attic Atheneum melds independent study under close faculty supervision, student receptions, public readings, and other special Atheneum events created around good food and great conversation, dialogue, and literary community.

Running for just under a year, the Atheneum is designed to advance your writing and seed your new literary life in the city.

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Quick Takes

FAQs

Faculty for the Atheneum Class of 2011

Nomination/Application Form

Cost

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Historically, an atheneum is a literary or scientific association dedicated to learning. And that's how we envision the Attic Atheneum, too.

The Attic Atheneum offers a unique & pragmatic format for an intensive focus on your writing while participating fully in your everyday adult life. And, it offers a thriving literary community of fellow Atheneum participants. The Atheneum will be comprised of 18 members: no more than 12 students (4 fiction writers, 4 non-fiction writers, and 4 poets) and six faculty.

An alternative to traditional or low-residency MFAs & also taking writing workshops from time to time, the Atheneum is structured to build on your strengths & encourage you to become an active participant in contemporary literary activities.

The 11-month program includes independent study under close faculty supervision, receptions, public readings, and discussion, selected readings, and other Atheneum events created around good food and great conversation, dialogue, and community. Plus, an end-of-program urban retreat to focus on your future writing goals.

The Atheneum aims to foster a strong sense of community among both students & faculty and to make each year's class of students a unique collection of writers and readers.

Our vision is that, in the future, Attic Atheneum alumni will continue to interact with current Atheneum members and help broaden a thriving literary community from year to year.

How does it work? Throughout your Atheneum year, correspondence between you & the faculty mentor occur at regular intervals. Through building community & emphasizing an individualized course of study & engagement with faculty, our goal is not to duplicate the MFA model or to supply academic credentials, but to allow you to immerse yourself in your writing discipline, remain accountable to your aspirations over an extended and reasonable period of time, and spend 11 months reaffirming & renewing your literary ambition and skills.

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Deadline for Nominations for the Atheneum Class of 2011

Must be received by Friday, April 24, 4pm.

Writers may nominate themselves.

Nomination/Application Form

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Students in the Attic Atheneum class of 2011 will begin the program in July 2010 and conclude in June 2011.

FAQs

For more information, contact us directly.