Programs

Red Salmon Press

An editorial collective founded in 1983, Red Salmon Press is dedicated to the retrieval of a people’s literary heritage and the development of emerging young writers/readers. It publishes and distributes community newsletters, neighborhood newspapers, and informational leaflets such as Crazy Horse Spirit for the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee and Native Voice for the Leonard Peltier Support Group. Red Salmon Press has published for SOY “chapbooks,” and several literary collections including From the Heart by Linda Reyes, East of the Freeway by raúlrsalinas, and Nile & Other Poems by Teresa Palomo Acosta. Most recently, Red Salmon along with San Diego based Calaca Press produced a CD of Salinas’ poetic work entitled Los Many Mundos of raúlrsalinas. Order the lastest publication, Memoir of un Ser Humano: The Life and Times de raúlrsalinas.

Touring Writers Series

RSA exposes Austin communities to award-winning literary works of regionally and nationally known writers and artists. It provides a forum for pioneering writers and performers to present their latest works to the local community in an intimate and accessible setting. Young writers and audience members are able to hear, see, and engage established and published writers from diverse cultural traditions. These writers serve as positive role models for developing writers. The events also encourage audience members to dialogue with writers about their work, thus initiating more immediate interaction between audience and artist. Learn more.

Café Libro

RSA boasts the longest running literary venue in the city of Austin. Continuing the multi-decade tradition of open-mike series such as the Eastside/Southside Poetic Action and Canto Libre, Café Libro provides a forum for emerging and established proponents of spoken word. These readings feature talented writers ranging in ages from 9 to 80. Café Libro offers local writers/artists an opportunity to build self-confidence and performance skills by presenting their work to the communities of Austin. Learn more.

Save Our Youth

Red Salmon Arts sponsors literary projects like Save Our Youth (SOY), one of the first in Austin to work with youth correctional facilities. By emphasizing cultural knowledge and pride, SOY seeks to empower “hard to reach” young people and redirects their negative activities into positive and reactive outlets through participation in workshops, which often include resident and other authors and artists focusing on culture (including music), arts, and literacy. These workshops help participants build self-esteem and develop verbal/written communication and conflict resolution.

Cine Resistencia

A Summer Film Series showcasing the work of nascent and veteran filmmakers, media makers, producers, and directors that highlights Chicana/o/xLatina/o/x/Native American-centered documentaries, shorts, features, and works-in-progress. Learn more.

Native Roots

The only programming in Austin, which priorities and features performances by Indigenous/Native American poets, artists, authors, writers, singers, and musicians in an alcohol-free, family-friendly environment through open mikes, film screenings, concerts, and dedicated youth events. Learn more.

People’s Library of Resistance/Biblioteca del pueblo de Resistencia

A people’s multimedia, mulitgenre library and repository. It centers on the emerging stories of cultural arts and resistance from the perspectives of the prisoners, Native Americans, Chicana/o/x/Latina/o/xs, African Americans, working class, and queer folk of Austin and across the Southwest. See the project here.

PROJECTS OF OUR AFFILIATES

VoxFem Network

For all original, molecule-rearranging work by women, VoxFem Network is the home galaxy. It is a multi-platform, multi-program, multi-venue network and center for innovative, international women artists & changemakers. Our mission is to spotlight, at minimum, one woman singer-songwriter/composer, visual artist, filmmaker, author and changemaker from every nation and occupied territory on Earth.

Barrio Writers is a youth centered and youth led creative writing workshop for youth 13-18 years old. Barrio Writers creative writing program aims to empower teens through creative writing (poetry, fiction writing, personal narratives, zine-making) and cultural arts that represent their experiences. Youth will discuss and write about issues of social justice that are important to them as well as community solidarity and care. Barrio Writers is supported by our community partner, Red Salmon Arts.