About the Center

The Center for Literary and Creative Arts at Saint Louis University is a place where literature, the visual arts, theatre, music, film and other creative disciplines come together.

Building on the long tradition of the St. Louis Literary Award, the center brings students, faculty, artists, and community partners together through programs that encourage collaboration, creativity and public participation across Saint Louis University and throughout the St. Louis region. 

Today, the center incorporates many of the programs that have grown from the St. Louis Literary Award, including the Campus Read, Youth Literary Initiative, student competitions, CraftTalks, and collaborations with faculty and community partners. Together, these programs invite people to read, create, perform, share ideas and participate in the cultural life of the university and the region. 

Mission

The Center for Literary and Creative Arts connects people through literature and the creative arts. Building on the tradition of the St. Louis Literary Award, the center creates opportunities to read, write, make, perform, discuss and encounter creative work in many forms.

Our Story

Since 1967, the St. Louis Literary Award has brought distinguished writers to Saint Louis University, giving students and the public the opportunity to hear directly from authors whose work has shaped contemporary literature.

Over the years, the Literary Award became the starting point for other programs: author conversations, student competitions, shared reading, podcasts, school partnerships and collaborations with organizations throughout St. Louis. The creation of the Center for Literary and Creative Arts brought those efforts together while making room for new work across the literary, visual and performing arts.

Our Priorities

Literary Arts

The St. Louis Literary Award remains an important foundation of the Center. The annual author visit is joined by the Campus Read, student competitions, CraftTalks and other programs that keep literary activity going throughout the year.

Creative Arts

The Center works across visual art, theatre, music, film, dance and other creative disciplines. Exhibitions, performances, workshops and collaborative projects give students, faculty, artists, and community partners opportunities to make and respond to creative work.

Student Engagement

Students take part in the center as writers, artists, researchers, organizers, interviewers, volunteers and collaborators. Their work gives them practical experience while also influencing the programs the center develops.

Community Partnerships

Schools, libraries, museums, theatres, bookstores, arts organizations and other community institutions are part of the center's work. Some partnerships center on a single program; others develop over time through shared projects and continuing conversations.