About
Us
Pandora’s Collective,
based in Vancouver, British Columbia,
is
dedicated to promoting
literacy and self-expression in
the community. We
are organized into five areas of operation - Outreach, Community Programming,
Awards Programming, The Summer Dream Literary Arts Festival and Resources &
Services. With the ambitious mandate ‘Promoting the Arts That Inspire the
World to Take Notice of Itself’ the collective was founded in June 2002
by poets Bonnie Nish and Sita Carboni and is now a Registered Charity. Striving
to provide a safe and inspiring environment for writers of all ages we promote
the literary arts as a
healthy tool for self-expression
and act as a valuable resource for writers and readers in Greater Vancouver.
We hope to motivate individuals into embracing literacy while at the same
time help them to build their sense of community and self-esteem.
OUTREACH
Outreach Poetry Workshops
-
With adults going
through drug and alcohol rehabilitation at Pacifica Treatment Centre (Ongoing)
-
With children
and teens
at Inner City Schools
(Ongoing)
-
With
youth in crisis
at
Covenant House
(Ongoing)
Global
Outreach
- Loonie Backpack Drive to raise funds for Sierra Leone and/or Zimbabwe.
-
The collection of books and school supplies to be sent to Zimbabwe in
Partnership with Connie Linder of Insight Creative Communications and
Doug Ante of Rotary International
Poetry Workshops for the
General Public
-
At libraries, community centres, schools and festivals in Greater
Vancouver (i.e. The West Coast Poetry Festival, North Shore Writers Festival,
The Port Moody Arts Centre, The Vancouver Public Library Summer Book Camp,
Richmond Library, etc.)
COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING
Voices Vancouver
-
Word Whips Writing Series
and Word Whips - The North Shore Edition
- These
two events offer an
opportunity for individuals to write in a
group setting. We provide writing
exercises
and the opportunity for
attendees to
share what they have just written,
whether it
be
poetry, prose, comedy writing, dialog or simply train of thought.
Poetry Readings
-
Pandora’s Collective has organized poetry readings in the community for
such events as The Eastside Culture Crawl, Van Dusen Garden’s Art Days and the
Roundhouse Community Center’s Community Day. Emerging and established poets from
the community are brought together to participate in these events.
AWARDS PROGRAMMING
Scholarships
- Scholarships
are awarded annually. Children and teens receive enrolment into the Vancouver
Public Library Summer Book Camp. Adults receive enrolment into a creative
writing continuing education course at a local college or community centre. To
be eligible an individual must have participated in a Pandora’s Collective
workshop.
Annual Poetry Contests
(with categories
for children, teens and adults)
-
Hibernating
With Words
-
Kisses and
Popsicles Spring Poetry Contest
-
The Summer Dream Poetry
Contests
THE SUMMER DREAM
LITERARY ARTS
FESTIVAL
Saturday
July 21st
Pandora's
Collective presents the 4th annual
Summer Dream Literary Arts Festival.
Location:
Lumberman’s Arch in beautiful Stanley Park. Check web
link for map.
Time:
12:00 - 7:30pm
The Summer Dream Literary Arts
Festival is an annual, engaging, outdoor festival established to raise public
awareness regarding the on-going literary events, programs and resources
available in the community. This year's festival will include
performances by twenty literary groups, multi-cultural readings in various
languages, a Poetry Slam and a Story Slam competition to be judged by attendees.
There will also be dancers, musical
performances and a children’s area with puppet shows, music,
story tellers, face painting and a craft table. Throughout the day we will offer
workshops, a panel discussion, a creativity table for
crafts and writing, a poetry contest, open mic readings and information
tables showcasing community groups and resources such as the Vancouver Public
Library and The Federation of BC Writers. Vancouver
Poet Laureate, George McWhirter, will do the opening
reading at the Festival. Bring a picnic, a blanket, your family and
friends and plan to stay the day. For schedules, participants and sponsors visit
www.pandorascollective.com/sdrfestival.html.
If you wish
to volunteer or make a financial contribution contact
Bonnie Nish at
blnish_pandoras@yahoo.ca.
RESOURCES & SERVICES
Event Listings
- Community
events related to the literary-arts are listed on our
web site as press releases or ongoing events. Event organizers can submit their
promo material for posting free of charge.
E-News
-
Community press releases and Pandora’s Collective updates are also sent
out weekly to our email list serve. This is a free
service we offer to the writing community. Event organizers can submit their
promo material for this service to blnish_pandoras@yahoo.ca.
Links
-
Our web site has extensive links to literary resources (i.e. publishers,
markets, writers' groups, contests, organizations, festivals, youth resources
and markets, schools, writers in the community, etc.). We also have a section
for inspiration showcasing links to other web sites that feature art, music,
dance, etc.
The Poets Directory
-
Provides poets with the opportunity to have a poem published on our site
along with their bio, photo and contact information.
Soirées and Retreats
Pandora’s Collective hosts regular gatherings for writers.
-
Soirée attendees can exchange ideas, expertise and contacts while
enjoying a potluck buffet.
-
Retreats bring writers to inspirational locations to motivate and
facilitate their writing through
exercises, free writing and sharing.
OVERVIEW:
Pandora’s Collective works
co-operatively with many
groups such as The World Poetry Reading Series, Vancouver Poetry House and The
Vancouver Public Library in order to help foster a love of the written and
spoken word.
The intended beneficiaries of our events and programs
are children, teens and adults in Greater Vancouver with an additional focus on
individuals in need (those with low-incomes, youth in crisis, individuals going
through rehabilitation, immigrants, etc).
SOCIETY ACT CONSTITUTION:
1. The name of the society is:
Pandora’s Collective Outreach Society.
2. The purpose(s) of the society is (are):
a) To facilitate poetry workshops/programs within communities (e.g.
classrooms, hospitals, transition houses, rehabilitation centres, and other
venues) to increase literacy and present poetry as a communication tool
promoting self-expression and self-esteem
b) To raise personal, social, and global awareness through the creation
of poetry and the arts, collaborating and working together.
c) To raise money for literary scholarships and programs.
d) To promote poetry and the arts (e.g. open mics, contests, interviews,
poets directory, web publishing, event listings, and the publication of
anthologies showcasing emerging poets).
For a list of all our work - by
date and category - please refer to our "History"
page.
