History

Chicago Poetry Center was formed through defiant, organic, community-driven efforts following the threat of literary censorship in the 1950s. A group of Chicago writers and editors organized to create publication and performance spaces that welcomed queer and racially diverse contemporary voices. These efforts were formalized in 1974 to establish the nonprofit now known as the Chicago Poetry Center (CPC). Alongside the foundation of CPC was the creation of a new literary journal entitled Big Table.

CPC celebrated it’s 50th year under the banner of “A Bigger Table,” for all that it represents in our values from our beginnings to now: a commitment to an inclusive, values-guided community space committed to supporting art and artists, and accessible creativity for all. 

Over 50+ years of practice, CPC has had the honor of hosting hometown favorites like Gwendolyn Brooks, international poetry luminaries, and emerging local artists. Now for 25+ years our education programs have connected Chicago poets to classrooms across the city, providing residencies for tens of thousands of Chicago students. 

CPC maintains its belief from founding until now that artistic expression is a fundamental human right, and that poetry in particular is ideally suited to supporting human growth and connection. Rooted in our history of liberatory artistic practice and guided by our core values of integrity, humility, creativity, equity, and inclusivity, we envision and work to create a fair and verdant world rooted in artistic expression, human connection, and boundless imagination, and an ever-expanding table.