What is a Story Circle?

Story Circles are opportunities for small groups of people to gather together to listen and share thoughts and stories related to a common theme. No preparation is necessary and each participant has the option to share or simply listen to others. Story Circles aren’t about performing. Rather, the purpose is to listen and connect.

Educator & Community Member Story Circles

Educator and Community Member Story Circles are Story Circles hosted specifically for Educators and/or Community Members by youth. The participants may not know each other or they may be a group that collaborates (through work or community) in other ways. Learn more about or register for Educator & Community Member Story Circles here.

Youth Story Circles

Youth Story Circles are Story Circles hosted specifically for youth by youth facilitators. The participants may not know each other or they may be a group that collaborates (through work, school, or community groups) in other ways.

Learn more about or register for Youth Story Circles here.

Above: Youth Story Circle illustration by participant, alum, and Teaching Fellow @mel_verse.

The Story Circles program began in Spring 2020 in an effort to support healthy connection in a time of social distancing. Story Circles can be hosted on Zoom or in-person, depending on staff comfortability and your classroom or organization’s need.

Story Circles are a partnership between the Alaska Humanities Forum and Story Works. Youth Facilitator involvement and training is supported in part by the Alaska Community Foundation Social Justice Fund and an amazing team of Story Works alumni. We are also thankful to the #PeoplesStateofTheUnion project of the US Dept. of Arts and Culture for offering guidelines about the fine art of bringing storytelling into the land of Zoom.