Iowa City Poetry News and Happenings
Stay up to date on poetry events, slams, and community resources.
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Monday, February 16, 7-9 pm
IPA Slam CRANDIC Qualifier 2026
Poets from around Iowa compete in Iowa City for a chance at the title of Global Champion!
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Sunday, February 22, in person
Write at the Stanley
Join us at the Stanley Museum of Art to generate new creative writing inspired by work in the collection.
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Sunday, March 1, 4:00-5:00 PM CT
Online Writers Open Mic
Share 4-5 minutes of your original writing with an appreciative and supportive audience.
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Saturday, April 25
Iowa City Poetry Alfresco 2026
An evening of open-air progressive poetry readings at various private residences and parks in the Northside Neighborhood.
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Tuesday & Thursday, 6-8 PM
Library
Stop by to visit us at the new Iowa City Poetry Lending Library!
Our Question
How do we share poetry resources with everyone?
And because we’re based in Iowa City, we ask the question slightly differently. How do we share the wealth of literary resources in Iowa City, a UNESCO City of Literature and home to the Iowa Writers' Workshop, with all poets? Poets of all ages, incomes, identities, and experience levels?
Our Organization
founding director Lisa Roberts leads the team
With Reading Series Director Jennifer MacBain-Stephens, the Advisory Council, and the support of The James Gang, we are working to grow our programming and reach.