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Center for Literary and Creative Arts

The Center for Literary and Creative Arts brings together students, faculty and the St. Louis community through literature, writing and the arts.

Author Colson Whitehead signs copies of his book, The Underground Railroad, at a SLU event.

The center's premiere event, the St. Louis Literary Award, brings accomplished and well-known authors to campus for lectures, a craft talk and a Q&A.

What We Do

At its core, the center is about getting people in the same room — around a book, a question or a piece of creative work — and seeing what happens from there.

Some of that looks like:

  • Bringing writers to campus each year to read speak, and spend time with students
  • Supporting student writing and creative work, both in and outside the classroom
  • Working with schools and arts organizations across St. Louis
  • Hosting events that are open, conversational and meant to be joined, not just attended

Featured Programs

St. Louis Literary Award

The St. Louis Literary Award is one of the longest-running literary awards in the country (1967 to present), bringing major writers to St. Louis each year.

Two people sit on a stage in front of an audience. SLU banners are placed behind them.

The St. Louis Literary Award is among the oldest and most prestigious of literary prizes in the country.

Campus Read

The Campus Read brings readers together for a shared book and a shared set of conversations and presentations — across classes, departments and the wider community.

Student Competitions

Programs like the Undergraduate Writing Award, 1818 Writing Competition and Inspired By Arts Showcase give students a chance to showcase their literary work to a broader audience.

Youth Literary Initiative

A new program connecting high school classrooms with SLU through reading, discussion and creative response.