International Storytelling Center (ISC) https://www.storytellingcenter.net/
The International Storytelling Center (ISC) is an educational and cultural institution dedicated to building a better world through the power of storytelling. Our mission is to inspire and empower people to tell their stories, listen to and honor the stories of others, and use storytelling to produce positive change. ISC has been at the forefront of America’s storytelling renaissance since 1973 when it hosted the first National Storytelling Festival in Tennessee’s oldest town, Jonesborough. Today, the Festival remains the world’s premiere storytelling event. Other mainstay programs include Storytelling Live, a 6-month live storytelling series that consists of daily matinees, special evening concerts, and workshops from May through October, and Kid’s Institute, an immersive on-site STEAM (STEM + Arts) experience for fifth graders from our region. We offer virtual options for many of our performances.
Explore our learning library: https://www.storytellingcenter.net/initiatives/learning-library/
Artist Work Samples
Sample Programs Offered
Program Type: Arts Curriculum
Program Description:
Kid’s Storytelling Institute features an immersive, on-site STEAM (STEM + Arts) storytelling experience for regional fifth-grade children. Together with their teachers, the students hear true, historical stories from a professional storyteller, participate in a Q&A session, and take part in participatory activities with the teller. Educators are also provided with related materials and teaching ideas to use in their classrooms. In 2022, we served over 450 students and teachers from Greene, Sullivan, and Washington Counties. This program provided rural and homeschool students with an interactive, meaningful experience in a major cultural arts institution. Kid’s Storytelling Institute dates for 2023 are November 6 – 10.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Appreciation
Program Description:
Storytelling Live is an extension of our Teller-in-Residence program, our Tellers-in-Residence perform for schools, libraries, non-profit agencies, and educational institutions throughout Northeast Tennessee. These performances are subsidized by funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission and private donors to cover the cost of admission to a private storytelling concert or outreach event and can be booked by contacting Program Administrator Krystal Hawkins at krystal@storytellngcenter.net or by calling (423) 913-1343. Storytelling Live dates for 2023 are May 2 – October 28.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Appreciation
Program Description:
Every October since 1973, thousands of travelers have visited Tennessee’s oldest town. They come for one purpose–to hear stories and to tell them at the National Storytelling Festival. This celebration of America’s rich and varied storytelling tradition, the oldest and most respected gathering anywhere in America devoted to storytelling, has in turn spawned a national revival of this venerable art. ISC is excited to welcome you to the storytelling capital of the world for School Day at the National Storytelling Festival on Friday, October 6, 2023. To register your 3rd – 12th grade class, call Festival Registration Coordinator Marianne Huff at (800)952-8392 x 283 or email marianne@storytellingcenter.net.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Appreciation
Program Description:
October 7-9, 2022
The 50th annual National Storytelling Festival is October 7-9, 2022. (Book early for discounted tickets!) Consider this your one-stop-shop for details about the program, as well as other useful info to plan your visit.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
