The Writers' Center of Indiana: HistoryOriginally part of the Free University, The Writers’ Center of Indiana was founded by Jim Powell in 1979 and offered informal writing workshops that helped establish a strong writing community in Indianapolis. As the director of the Center for twenty years, Powell instituted a regular schedule of classes and workshops; monthly readings at which writers could share their work; The Flying Island, a magazine featuring Indiana writers; and an annual Gathering of Writers that instructed, inspired, and connected writers throughout the state. Over the years, visiting writers included W.S. Merwin, Galway Kinnell, Mark Strand, Mary Oliver, Lisel Mueller, Charles Simic, Thomas Mallon, Tim O’Brien, Rita Dove, and more.
The legacy of Powell’s vision for and commitment to creating a community of writers continued as the Writers’ Center of Indiana evolved into a professionally run nonprofit organization, with active board support for its programs, that maintains its strong grass-roots spirit. Now located in the Indianapolis Art Center’s Cultural Complex in Broad Ripple, the Center offers classes taught by some of Indiana’s best writers and a variety of literary events, as well as outreach programs in schools, community organizations, and correctional institutions that give voice to people who are rarely heard.
“A man’s work is nothing but a long journey through the detours of art to the two of three simple and great images which first gained access to his heart.”
—Albert Camus
(317) 255-0710 . mailing address: P.O. Box 30407, Indianapolis IN 46230-0407 . street address: 812 East 67th Street, Indianapolis IN 46220