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Antioch Writers' Workshop Records

 Collection
Identifier: MS-427

Scope and Content

Researchers studying the Antioch Writers' Workshop Records can gain insight into literary groups in the Greater Dayton area. The collection is organized into five series and eight subseries:

Series I, Administration, contains records relevant to the history and operation of the organization. The series is divided into three subseries. Among these are Bylaws, Constitution, Director's Responsibilities, meeting minutes, and public relations material.

Subseries IA, Bylaws, Constitution, and Director Responsibilities, and Meeting Minutes, contains copies of the organizations administrative documents. Meeting minutes are arranged chronologically by year. Proposed budgets and financial reports often appear within this series because they were discussed during the meetings and located with the official minutes.

Subseries IB, Public Relations, contains newsletters and newspaper clippings related to the promotion of the AWW to the public.

Series II, Financial Records, contains the Internal Revenue Service's tax-exempt documentation, grant applications, scholarship records and applications. All other financial records are arranged chronologically spanning 1986 to 2000. It is important to note that beginning in 1994 the AWW changed to a fiscal year schedule beginning in September and ending in August.

Series III, Member Records, Faculty Members and Participant Records, are arranged into three subseries according to the original order of the organization. The AWW collected files on faculty members and participants by both name and genre of writing. Correspondence is also in this series because many letters can be found in the profiles of faculty members and participants.

Subseries IIIA, Profiles by Name, relates to the files created by the AWW on faculty and members. These files contain photographs, graphics, newspaper and magazine clippings relevant to the person. They are arranged alphabetically according to last name. One item of importance is correspondence with Maya Angelou located in Judson Jerome's file.

Subseries IIIB, Profiles by Genre, is arranged by faculty and members according genre of writing (for example, non-fiction or short story).

Suberies IIIC, Correspondence, contains letters between faculty members, participants, and keynote speakers. They are arranged chronologically and span 1986 to 2010.

Series IV, Workshops, contains documentation of the AWW annual workshops and other events. Pamphlets, participant lists, faculty lists, and agendas related to these events are filed in this series. They are arranged chronologically by year and span from the first workshop in 1986 to their latest annual workshop in 2010.

Series V, Audio/Visual Material, is arranged in two subseries and includes photographs, as well as video and audio recordings.

Subseries V-A, Photographs, contains photographs of staff members and pictures taken at various workshops and events.

Subseries V-B, Video and Audio, contains multimedia taken at various workshops and events.

Dates

  • Creation: 1985-2010

Creator

Restrictions on Access

A portion of this collection is stored off-site; see Separated Material. Access to electronic files may be restricted until the files are fully processed.

Due to preservation concerns, original audio and video materials cannot be accessed in the reading room. Patrons may have access to reference copies. Items without reference copies can be digitized at the request of a patron for the cost of creating a digital copy. Please provide us at least two weeks advance notice if you would like to request an audio or video reference copy. Call (937) 775-2092 or e-mail us at archives@www.libraries.wright.edu. Use of digitized content is subject to conditions governing use.

Otherwise, there are no restrictions on accessing material in this collection.

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

History of Antioch Writers' Workshop

Antioch College initiated the Antioch Writers' Workshop (AWW) by asking for ideas on ways to use the campus effectively in the summer. Two retired professors, Judson Jerome, a well-known poet, and William Baker, an experienced college administrator, dean, and teacher, answered the call in 1986 and began together the AWW. From the beginning, the workshop created a community of writers who mingled faculty and students informally throughout the day as well as during classes and seminars. Its mission was to encourage good writing and organize a weeklong summer workshop as well as (in some years) a one-day fall workshop.

The AWW has progressively evolved over the years. In 1991, the group formed a board of trustees and reorganized to sponsor the summer AWW using the college as fiscal agent. In 1993, the AWW formed its own nonprofit entity. AWW has brought many well-known and talented writers to Ohio over the years, including Sue Grafton and Joyce Carol Oates. AWW is now presented in partnership with Antioch University McGregor (AUM). (Source: http://www.antiochwritersworkshop.com/?q=node/3)

Extent

6.5 linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Founded in 1986, the Antioch Writers' Workshop is a nonprofit organization that encourages creative writing by offering classes and seminars. It has evolved over the years from a community of writers who mingled with faculty and students informally throughout the day into a fiscal agent of the Antioch College. The records include meeting minutes, correspondence, financial and membership records, photographs, posters, VHS, pamphlets, newsletters, and multimedia.

Statement of Arrangement

This collection is arranged in five series and eight subseries

  1. Series I: Administration
  2. Subseries IA: Bylaws, Constitution, Director's Responsibilities
  3. Subseries IB: Meeting Minutes
  4. Subseries IC: Public Relations
  5. Series II: Financial Records
  6. Series III: Members Records
  7. Series IIIA: Profiles by Name
  8. Subseries IIIB: Profiles by Genre
  9. Subseries IIIC: Correspondence
  10. Series IV: Workshops
  11. Series V: Audio/Visual Material
  12. Subseries VA: Photographs
  13. Subseries VB: Video and Audio

Acquisition Information

Wright State University Special Collections and Archives accessioned the Antioch Writers' Workshop Records in May, 2010.

Accruals

Additional records may be deposited in the future.

Related Material

MS-408, Woman's Literary Club Records

Separated Material

The Antioch Writers' Workshop multimedia (VHS, DVD, DVC, CD, and Cassettes) are stored in the Special Collections and Archives alternate storage area located in the Medical Sciences building on campus.

Title
Guide to the Antioch Writers' Workshop Records (MS-427)
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid prepared by Jeremy Katz, Winter 2011
Date
2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Wright State University Libraries
Special Collections and Archives
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton OH 45435-0001 USA
937-775-2092