Mission & Vision
Our Mission
AWP amplifies the voices of writers and the academic programs and organizations that serve them while championing diversity and excellence in creative writing.
Our Vision
Over the next five years, our goal is to strengthen AWP’s foundational mission with renewed reflection as we become a more responsive, innovative, and relevant association serving all of our members and stakeholders. We at AWP are working to create a thoughtful, intentional, and inclusive space where the larger literary community can gather to exchange wisdom on the art and craft of writing and celebrate vibrant creativity and accomplishment.
Four strategic objectives define how we will meet our goal:
support individual members in their literary pursuits while providing opportunities to participate in the larger writing community
support creative writing programs and groups that build and sustain rigorous learning and professional environments
respond with reenergized support for our increasingly diverse membership that has been and is changing our association for the better
offer year-round support, services, and programming to our communities of creative writers
Our Commitment to Members and the Literary Community
As a national professional association of creative writers and writing programs, AWP brings together independent writers, academic writing programs, journals, presses, and arts organizations. In addition to hosting the largest annual gathering of writers in North America, we build supportive communities united by a love for the literary arts through our extensive website, thriving mentorship program, and magazine dedicated to the craft of writing.
Our Commitment to Staff
As an employer, AWP is dedicated to the creation and nurturing of a workplace environment in which everyone feels valued as a dignified member of the community of writers, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
Our Commitment to Everyone
We recognize the transformative power of literature and strive to be an ally in making the world a more equitable and compassionate place. We condemn discrimination in any form, whether it be race, ethnicity, gender identity and orientation, national origin, age, or disability. We are committed to enacting inclusion and diversity in all our programs and engaging in advocacy where possible. Please find below statements we have released in response to pressing social and racial justice issues.
