Literary leaders from across the state have selected Josie Nabhan-Warren, a junior at West High School in Iowa City, as the 2026–27 Iowa Student Poet Ambassador (ISPA), the highest honor […]
Iowa City student named new Iowa Student Poet Ambassador
UI College of Education holds student short story and poetry contest
The University of Iowa College of Education’s Teaching and Learning Department and the Iowa Reading Association have teamed up for the Second Annual Southeastern Iowa Short Story and Poetry Writing […]
One Book Two Book: student writers and family fun
The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization’s annual One Book Two Book Children’s Literature Festival will recognize the creative excellence of 29 area students as it offers a day […]
MusicIC Festival returns with ‘The Black Angel’ April 30-May 2
MusicIC, Iowa City’s premiere chamber music festival exploring the connections between music and literature, presents THE BLACK ANGEL: Music, Myth, and Memory, a three-day festival examining how composers across centuries […]
Social media campaign highlights 2030 Strategic Development Goals
As the do annually, several UNESCO Cities of Literature will raise awareness about the United Nations’ 2030 Strategic Development Goals with the social media campaign, #17BooksFor17SDGs. Each day, between Dec. […]
Iowa City representative Henry Morray wins 2025 SlamoVision
After the votes were tallied, Henry Morray, Iowa City’s representative to the 2025 SlamoVision international slam poetry competition was declared the winner. The results were shared as part of the […]
UNESCO names 10 new Cities of Literature as Creative Cities Network grows
The 53 designated Creative Cities of Literature from 39 countries across the globe welcome 10 additional Cities of Literature to their literary family. UNESCO announced the designation of 58 new […]
Winners named in City of Literature student essay contest
Iowa City student wins top prize of one year of free tuition at the University of Iowa; runners up from Ankeny, Bettendorf, and Riverside win scholarships Contest will be open […]
Cole Swensen named 2025 Paul Engle Prize winner
Cole Swensen has been named the 14th recipient of the Paul Engle Prize, presented by the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization. The prize, established in 2011, honors an […]
Slamovision qualifying slam set for Sept. 9
Slam poets from around Iowa are invited to participate in a special slam on Sept. 9 that will pick our entrant for an international slam competition. SlamoVision is a project […]
