Corby Skinner's Page

Poets on the Prarie

Poets on the Prairie is an arts/education project that reaches students in rural and Native American schools in 17 Montana counties. We have a roster of 21 writers, artists, musicians, and dancers who visit rural schools. This has been a highly successful and popular program in that many rural communities have little exposure to creative writing, music and the visual arts.

TumbleWords

TumbleWords is a literature presenting program designed to bring more exposure to Montana’s writers and their work in “underserved” communities across the state, while building a long-lasting appreciation of literary arts with these new audiences. We target communities which have limited access to the arts, relatively low populations, and/or a general interest in literature and becoming familiar with Montana writers and poets. Regional writers who have expressed an interest in traveling across the state participate in this program with local contacts in each community facilitating the events. The program includes a public reading and a writing workshop for adults.

High Plains BookFest

In its seventh consecutive year, the High Plains BookFest, held in Billings in October, presents regional writers from six states and Canada for three days of readings and panel discussions. Each year a theme, such as “Spirit of Women,” The Call of the Wild,” “The Good, Bad, and the Ugly” have allowed us to reach a wide variety of audiences and present a dizzying array of poets, novelists, historians, mystery writers and novelists.

The Big Read

In 2008 and 2009, the BookFest has been the kick-off for The Big Read program. Last year’s theme was “The Call of the Wild” with a target audience of adolescent boys and young men and reluctant readers who might be drawn to the subject of wild life, nature, and environmental issues. This year’s book is Louise Erdrich’s “Love Medicine” and hence we are focusing is on Native American culture. Throughout the month of October, we will presents book discussions, readings, a film series and theatrical presentation in five counties and on two Indian Reservations.