ABOUT THE CITY OF LITERATURE

Background

Application

On September 16, 2008, the University of Iowa unveiled its formal application (PDF) to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to designate Iowa City the world's second City of Literature. The proposal -- a beautiful boxed volume of hand-made paper and original calligraphy, designed and created by the UI Center for the Book -- was shipped to the UNESCO office in Paris for final consideration. On November 20, 2009, UNESCO designated Iowa City, Iowa, the world's third City of Literature, making the community part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

"This is at once a celebration of the literary riches and resources of Iowa City and a spur to action," said University of Iowa International Writing Program Director Christopher Merrill, who led the UI Writing University committee that submitted the city's proposal. "We look forward to working with our new partners in the Creative Cities network -- to forging dynamic relationships with writers, artists and others committed to the life of discovery. This is a great day for Iowa City."

unesco
Iowa City joined Edinburgh, Scotland, and Melbourne, Australia, as UNESCO Cities of Literature. Other cities in the Creative Cities Network -- honoring and connecting cultural centers for cinema, music, crafts and folk arts, design, media arts and gastronomy, as well as literature -- include Aswan, Egypt; Santa Fe, N.M.; Berlin, Germany; Montreal, Canada; Popayan, Colombia; Bologna, Italy; Shenzhen, China; and Seville, Spain.

Ten Things to Know About Iowa City >>
View the Application to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network >>
City Profile: Iowa City, UNESCO City of Literature >>
Iowa City Photo Gallery >>

Creative Cities Overview

unesco

UNESCO is the educational, scientific and cultural arm of the United Nations, facilitating international co-operation among its member states. Its Creative Cities Network, launched in 2004, is designed to promote innovative social, economic, and cultural growth in leading cities around the world, fostering both local initiatives and global connections. The Creative Cities Network connects cities who want to share experiences, ideas and best practices for development. Cities may apply to be endorsed by the Network and join the program to ensure their continued role as centres of excellence and to support other cities, particularly those in developing countries, in nurturing their own creative economy.

Once the city is appointed to the network, it can share experiences and create new opportunities for itself and others on a global platform, notably for activities based on the notion of creative tourism. A key ingredient is the creation of public/private partnerships that help unlock the entrepreneurial and creative potential of small enterprises, which play an important role in the new economy. To underpin their development, small creative businesses also need innovative talent, and therefore cities with strong contemporary art, fashion, craft, music and design schools are most likely to flourish.

There are currently over 20 cities from all regions of the world waiting to be evaluated to join the Creative Cities Network.