Programs

The Center for Literary and Creative Art's programs range from a nationally recognized literary award to school partnerships, student competitions, podcasts, exhibitions, performances and public conversations. 

St. Louis Literary Award

The St. Louis Literary Award is one of the nation's longest-running literary awards, bringing distinguished writers to Saint Louis University since 1967. Over nearly six decades, the program has welcomed many of the most influential voices in contemporary literature and given students, faculty and the public an opportunity to hear directly from writers whose work they have studied and read.

Each visit includes a public award ceremony and an Author Craft Talk, where the conversation turns more fully to the writer's work, process and influences.

The Literary Award also provides a starting point for other center programs, particularly the Campus Read and related discussions and events.

Campus Read

The Campus Read brings students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members together around a book by the current St. Louis Literary Award recipient.

Faculty, librarians, artists, students and community partners approach the book from different directions through discussions, presentations, performances and creative responses. The program is designed to be flexible enough for courses, student groups and community organizations to participate in ways that fit their interests.

Student Competitions

The center sponsors competitions that recognize writing and creative work by high school and university students. The Undergraduate Writing Award, the 1818 Writing Competition, and the Inspired By Arts Showcase give students opportunities to share their work through readings, publications, exhibitions and other public presentations.

Together, the programs create a path for student work to move beyond the classroom and reach a wider audience.

Youth Literary Initiative

The Youth Literary Initiative connects Saint Louis University with high schools across the St. Louis region through a shared reading experience.

Participating teachers bring a class into the program and decide how the common book fits their own courses. The center provides books, optional materials and support, while leaving room for teachers to adapt the reading to their students and classrooms.

Students and teachers then come to Saint Louis University for conversations, workshops and other book-related activities. Faculty, university students and community partners take part in the day, giving high school students a chance to exchange ideas with students from other schools and spend time on a university campus.

The program will continue to develop with input from participating teachers and students as additional schools become involved.

CraftTalks at Saint Louis University  

Creative work rarely happens in isolation. CraftTalks invites writers, artists, musicians, performers, educators, scholars and other guests to talk about the experiences, questions, and influences behind their work.

The conversations look beyond finished books, performances and creative projects to the people who made them. Guests discuss what they read and watch, how they work, who has influenced them and what continues to change in their creative lives.

Produced by the Center for Literary and Creative Arts, CraftTalks is available in video and audio formats and creates a growing archive for classrooms, community programs and anyone interested in the creative process.