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Call for Immigrant Poetry, Fiction and Non-Fiction
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum is pleased to announce a call for poetry, fiction, and non-fiction on the theme of Dualism in America the window installation by artist Wendy W. Fok currently on exhibit to the public at the Museum.

The installation contrasts the ideal "American Dream" with the reality of immigrant life in the United States. This is an open call for poems, short fiction (or excerpted fiction), essays, and other writing by New York City immigrants and residents of the Lower East Side to share perspectives responding to the following themes and questions:

  • Who's an American? Who decides? What does it mean to be an "American"?
  • What is the "American Dream"? How has your or your family's experience reflected or challenged the idea of the "American Dream"?
Selected pieces will be featured in a free, multi-lingual public reading and open mic to be held at the Tenement Theatre at 97 Orchard St. on Thursday, April 28 from 6-8pm.

Who's Eligible
Open to people of all ages. Immigrants, migrants, children of immigrants, and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students living in New York City; residents of the Lower East Side; and other members of the public wanting to share their writing about related contemporary immigration issues are encouraged to submit writing to us. We recommend that you view the window installation, "Dualism in America," currently displayed in the windows of our historic tenement building at 97 Orchard Street and address some of the installation's themes in your submission.

Submission Information
Submissions Due: March 18th
Submit to:
Lena Sze, Immigrant Arts Associate
"Dualism in America" Writing Submissions
91 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002
or email: lsze@tenement.org

Selection of Participants and Public Reading
The Museum will select at least one piece from every age group ranging from the elementary school, junior high, high school, and adult categories.

If selected, we'll notify you and you'll be one of our featured readers! At the reading, featured readers will share their submissions with the audience. This portion of the evening is to be followed by an open mic for the audience to share its diverse perspectives on what it means to be an American.

Come for the reading and stay for the opportunity to share your own perspectives & stories!

Doors open at 5:45. For more information, please visit www.tenement.org/programs.html or email lsze@tenement.org or call 212/431-0233 x 223.