Skip to content

Main Navigation

Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature
  • About
    • About & Mission
    • UNESCO Creative Cities Network
    • Staff & Board
  • Latest News
  • Events
    • View Events
    • Submit Event
    • Iowa City Book Festival
    • One Book Two Book Festival
    • Music IC
    • Paul Engle Day
  • Resources
    • Opportunities
    • Writing Groups
    • Anna Barker’s Classics Reading Series
    • Lit Walk
    • View Documentary
    • Pulitzer Prize Winners
    • On the Fly: Writers on Writing
    • Poetry in Public
    • Little Free Library
  • Support
  • Contact

Cities of Literature to shine a light on SDGs with 17-day campaign

Posted on November 30, 2023 by unesco-ic

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, “17 Books for the 17 […]

Read More…

UNESCO names 11 new Cities of Literature to network

Posted on November 1, 2023 by unesco-ic

UNESCO has announced the designation of 55 new members across seven artforms to join its Creative Cities Network, for a total of 350 Creative Cities from more than 100 countries […]

Read More…

Joan Naviyuk Kane named 2023 Paul Engle Prize winner

Posted on September 28, 2023 by unesco-ic
Joan Naviyuk Kane

Joan Naviyuk Kane has been named the 12th recipient of the Paul Engle Prize, presented by the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization. The prize, established in 2011, honors […]

Read More…

An open letter in response to Iowa Senate File 496

Posted on September 14, 2023 by unesco-ic

The City of Literature board has issued this letter in response to Iowa Senate File 496 and its impact on access to books and materials in schools. Other organizations also […]

Read More…

Iowa City to host part of global SlamoVision poetry competition

Posted on September 11, 2023 by unesco-ic

Slam poets from around Iowa are invited to participate in a special international slam event in Iowa City on Oct. 2. SlamoVision is a project of the international UNESCO Cities […]

Read More…

Lenz to host virtual book club for ‘The Farm’

Posted on August 31, 2023 by unesco-ic

Lyz Lenz will lead a virtual book club to discuss The Farm by Joanne Ramos. The book is this year’s pick for the One Community One Book program from the University […]

Read More…

One Book Two Book 2024 Now Accepting Submissions

Posted on August 29, 2023 by unesco-ic

Students in grades 1-8 in Iowa City-Cedar Rapids Corridor area school districts, or home school students in those equivalent grades, are encouraged to submit one page of writing for the […]

Read More…

Winners Named in City of Literature Student Essay Contest

Posted on August 1, 2023 by unesco-ic

The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization has completed judging for this year’s Glory of the Senses: Paul Engle Essay Contest, and will award scholarships to six high school […]

Read More…

Iowa Summer Writing Festival returns in July

Posted on June 23, 2023 by unesco-ic

Charlotte Brookins/University of Iowa Writers will descend on Iowa City for the beloved Iowa Summer Writing Festival in July. Workshops will be held in person for the first time since they moved […]

Read More…

U.S. announces plan to rejoin UNESCO

Posted on June 12, 2023 by unesco-ic
UNESCO logo

The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization welcomes the announcement that the United States plans to rejoin UNESCO. Executive Director John Kenyon said the move will strengthen both UNESCO and […]

Read More…

Posts navigation

  • «
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • »

Recent Posts

  • Winners named in City of Literature student essay contest
  • Cole Swensen named 2025 Paul Engle Prize winner
  • Slamovision qualifying slam set for Sept. 9
  • Statement on U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO
  • 2025 Iowa City Book Festival set for Oct. 5-12

Our Mission

To build and support diverse communities of writers and audiences through the transformative power of story.

Our Vision

We lead by inclusion and collaboration, celebrating the emotions, discovery and connections inspired by the written word in all its forms.

Our Values

• Collaboration: we engage in complementary and cooperative work.
• Community: we foster inclusive engagement to create connection locally and globally.
• Creativity: we seek, engage, and support innovation.

© 2025 Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature   Website by Little Village Creative Services