Mission Statement

The mission of the International Writing Program is to promote mutual understanding by providing writers from every part of the world the necessary space, physical or imaginative, for creative work and collaboration in an intercultural setting.

Our mission is anchored in the values of freedom of expression and inclusiveness, and in the belief that creativity has the power to shape the world.

We execute this mission by building enduring creative communities, encouraging cross-cultural dialogue, and supporting writers at all stages of their careers.

Program

The University of Iowa is the nation’s premier center for creative writing. Talks, readings, and meetings with well-known and emerging visiting American writers provide the international writers with a broad exposure to currents in American literature. We also strive to give each writer-in-residence the opportunity to present her or his work in a public forum, and interviews are shared via our numerous media channels.

The U.S. Department of State is a major source of support for the program. The IWP also administers the grants of writers who come to the Residency under subsidy from cultural organizations both in the U.S. and abroad.