Inspiring the Muse in the City of Literature

200 What distinguishes Iowa City, IA, from all the other towns in North America? Iowa City is a UNESCO City of Literature, the third in the world and the only one in North America. The University of Iowa is largely responsible for UNESCO’s recognition of Iowa City. Our highly acclaimed Writers’ Workshop was the first creative writing degree program in the country and continues to be the model for contemporary writing programs. Graduates of this top ranked, highly competitive program have won sixteen Pulitzer Prizes, as well as numerous National Book Awards and other major literary honors. Three recent U.S. Poet Laureates are among our graduates. In 2003, the Workshop received a National Humanities Medal from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the first Medal awarded to a university, and only the second given to an institution. Since 1967, the University and Iowa City community have also hosted thousands of established and emerging writers from one hundred and twenty countries through its International Writers Program (IWP). The University’s Center for the Book also played a key role in this UNESCO designation. An innovative, interdisciplinary arts and research program, the Center integrates the art of book production with the study of the book in society, through courses and a certification program. The Center’s world renowned papermaking operation was chosen by the National Archives to formulate and create the paper used to support the restored Declaration of Independence. The University’s top ranked Printmaking Department undoubtedly influenced the UNESCO distinction as well. An appreciation for literature permeates this town of just 62,200 people. Inspiring the Muse in the City of Literature