On April 17, 2013, the Academy of American Poets presented the 11th annual Poetry & the Creative Mind, at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center.

Some of America's leading artists, scholars, and public figures came together on one stage in April for an extraordinary evening celebrating the role of contemporary poetry in American culture. Poetry & the Creative Mind raises money for the programs of the Academy of American Poets, including National Poetry Month, which was established by the Academy in 1996 and is now the largest literary celebration in the world.

Candace Bushnell, Dianne Reeves, Katie Couric, and Meryl Streep, at the 2008 Poetry & the Creative Mind benefit

Explore the highlights of previous Poetry & the Creative Mind celebrations, including photos as well as lists of poems that were read.

2005 Benefit
2006 Benefit
2007 Benefit
2008 Benefit
2009 Benefit
2010 Benefit
2011 Benefit
2012 Benefit
2013 Benefit

Tony Kushner and Suzan-Lori Parks	Alan Alda
Alfre Woodard	David Halberstam and Simon Schama

Special guest readers for 2013 included:

Jad Abumrad	Glen Hansard
Mario Batali	Claire Lee, Student Poet
Dick Cavett	Stew
Patricia Clarkson	Rose Styron
Tyne Daly	Amber Tamblyn
	Kathleen Turner

... with master of ceremonies Calvin Trillin

Guest readers in past years include:

Wynton Marsalis Photo by Keith Major

Zadie Smith Photo by Roderick Field