Courtesy / The Telling Room
The Telling Room's new executive director, Kristina Powell
Updated: September 24, 2021
Portland literary nonprofit, the Telling Room, names new executive director
By Jessica Hall
The Telling Room, a Portland-based literary arts nonprofit focused on young writers, has named Kristina Powell as its new executive director, starting Oct. 12.
She succeeds Celine Kuhn, who announced in May her plan to depart the organization this fall after a five-year tenure.
The Telling Room typically provides free programming each year for about 3,000 Maine youths between ages 6 and 18. Over the past year, amid the pandemic, it has helped about 1,500 students develop their writing skills. Since its founding in 2004, the group has assisted 30,000 writers across the state.
“I’ve followed eagerly the Telling Room’s programs and admired their efforts in helping youth to find their voice and solidify their identity formation. The diversity of voices is so important as we become a more diverse state, we need to empower youth further and help tell their stories,” Powell told Mainebiz.
Powell said her initial goals center on meeting the students and families, as well as the community partners that work with the Telling Room, such as the Portland Museum of Art, the State Theatre and various youth organizations.
Longer term, Powell aims to broaden and deepen programming for students across all 16 Maine counties. Currently, the Telling Room works with students and teachers from nearly 100 schools in 75 towns.
During the pandemic, the Telling Room had success with a program called SWARM, or Students Writers and Readers Meet, which connected young writers across Maine in virtual writing groups. Powell said she wants to expand on some virtual programming to give more access to students statewide.
Powell earned an undergraduate degree at Bowdoin College and worked at the Council on International Education Exchange. At Bates College, she served as associate director developing and implementing programs for under-represented alumni, students and their families. She later managed the development team at the Center for Grieving Children in Portland.
She received her MBA in June while serving as the director of the Berwick Fund at Berwick Academy.
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments