At Spells, we believe that literacy is a cornerstone for future success, and that personalized attention and unconventional learning opportunities can inspire students to greater triumphs, both in the classroom and in life. To further these ends, we offer the following programs:

• classroom visits focused on creative writing and revision
• weekend writing workshops
• a six-week summer day camp
• after-school writing programs in partnership with local libraries and schools
• professional development opportunities for teachers.

All of our programs are free, and many incorporate other artistic disciplines such as music, film, or the visual arts to inspire young writers.

Please watch our video for more information about what we do:

OUR HISTORY

Founded in Spring 2009, Spells soon launched a series of writing workshops at donated spaces such as bookstores, community centers, other non-profit organizations, and schools. During the next six months, we served more than 200 students from all over the city.

That fall, the Village of Arts and Humanities invited Spells to consider moving into a building on its campus. The Village offers a diverse selection of arts programming, but Grimaldi felt it was lacking a literacy element, and that there was a great need in the community for writing-focused instruction. Spells Writing Lab operated after-school drop-in tutoring and writing programs at 2526 N. Alder Street in North Philly for five and a half years. In Fall 2015, we moved our offices to the Crane Arts Old School building in Olde Kensington and expanded our in-school programming.