Meet Our Grantee-Partner: Chicago Poetry Center
Mission: The mission of the Chicago Poetry Center is to connect people and poetry, equitably engage poets with communities, and foster creative literacy in the city and beyond.
The Chicago Poetry Center (CPC) was founded in response to literary censorship trials in Chicago in the 1950s. The trials led local writers and editors to organize and begin building informal publication and performance spaces that welcomed diverse contemporary voices. These organic, community-driven efforts were formalized in 1974 to establish the nonprofit now known as the Chicago Poetry Center. Now in its 50th year, CPC maintains its belief that artistic expression is a fundamental human right, and that poetry in particular is ideally suited to supporting human growth and connection.
Helene Achanzar, the Director of Programs,
speaks to a crowd at the 2022 Summer Poetry Party.
CPC serves communities citywide, with an emphasis on ensuring meaningful access to those who have been marginalized and sidelined from opportunities to engage with poetry and have their poetic voices uplifted and amplified. The organization has three core program focuses. Literary Life amplifies marginalized voices, integrates poetry into everyday life, and fosters creativity among people of all ages. Its arts education programs serve underserved Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Critical Conversations @ Work: Anti-Racism introduces anti-racism principles and poetry into workplaces.
Literary Life program offerings, including the monthly Blue Hour reading series and workshop, are designed for adults and draw individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds and Chicago communities. Through live streaming and an extensive program archive, the programs connect with people around the country and the globe.
Three CPS students attend an All Schools Reading.
CPC’s education programs primarily serve CPS students in grades K-12. Poetry residencies and pop-up performances take place in schools in communities throughout Chicago, emphasizing schools in traditionally redlined and underserved neighborhoods.
Before this poetry class, I thought poetry was like all fluffy and only for girls. Now, poetry to me is a great way to let out all the things in your head and be refreshed. Also, I think it’s for boys too. Reading poetry makes me feel like what the writer wrote was so great that I want to do it too. — fourth-grade poetry residency student
The Critical Conversations @ Work: Anti-Racism program uses poetry as a springboard for powerful discussions around the ways that race shapes our individual experiences of the world. Placing poetry at the center of the conversation allows for meaningful, transformative dialogue that does not require those most directly affected by racism to tell or retell stories of trauma and resilience.
Receiving Poetry Programs, Partnerships, and Innovation grants in 2022 and 2023 has supported CPC’s continued growth and success. CPC is using the funds to invest in the Literary Life program, including the monthly Blue Hour reading series and writing workshop, as well as other public performances and community-building events citywide. Associated costs include significant staff time related to planning, coordination, publicity, and documentation, as well as payment for ASL interpretation and equitable compensation of featured poets. Funds will also go towards expanding the Critical Conversations @ Work: Anti-Racism program in workplaces throughout Chicago.
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