New York, NY (May 28, 2014)—This summer the Academy of American Poets will continue its tradition of offering summer poetry readings with a diverse lineup of award-winning and emerging poets sharing their work at historic New York City venues—from Governors Island’s Colonel’s Row to The New York Public Library’s iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.

Edward Hirsch and Rachel Eliza Griffiths
On June 9 at 5:30 p.m., The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers and the Academy of American Poets are honored to present an evening of poetry and conversation at the Art.Write.Now 2014 National Exhibition in New York City. The event begins with a public reception at 5:30, and the reading follows at 6:00 p.m. (Sheila C. Johnson Design Center at Parsons the New School For Design, 2 West 13th St, NYC. $10 suggested donation.)

Elaine Equi, J. D. McClatchy, and Charles Simic
On June 26 at 6:30 p.m., award-winning poets Elaine Equi, J. D. McClatchy, and Charles Simic join in an evening of readings with commentary on selected works by authors featured in the Morgan’s exhibition Gatsby to Garp: Modern Masterpieces from the Carter Burden Collection, ranging from Gertrude Stein and Edna St. Vincent Millay to William Carlos Williams and Langston Hughes. (The Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, NYC. $15/$10 for Morgan and Academy of American Poets members. Tickets available at themorgan.org.)

Brenda Coultas, Geffrey Davis, and Brian Teare
On July 15 at 6:00 p.m., poets Brenda Coultas, Geffrey Davis, and Brian Teare share poems from the New York Public Library’s historic archival collection as well as their own work. (New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Margaret Liebman Berger Forum, Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, 2nd Floor, Room 227. Free and open to the public. Capacity is limited and seating is first-come, first-served.)

Lynn Melnick, Kamilah Aisha Moon, and Danniel Schoonebeek
On July 26 at 4:00 p.m., the Academy of American Poets presents a reading with Lynn Melnick, Kamilah Aisha Moon, and Danniel Schoonebeek at the New York City Poetry Festival at Colonel’s Row on Governor’s Island as part of the Academy of American Poets’ 2014 summer series. (Free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to provide their own seating. Visit newyorkcitypoetryfestival.com for more information about the festival.)

Latasha N. Nevada Diggs, Justin Marks, and Bianca Stone
On August 5 at 6:00 p.m., poets Latasha N. Nevada Diggs, Justin Marks, and Bianca Stone share poems from the New York Public Library’s historic archival collection as well as their own work. (New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Margaret Liebman Berger Forum, Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, 2nd Floor, Room 227. Free and open to the public. Capacity is limited and seating is first-come, first-served.)

About the Academy of American Poets
Now in its 80th year, the Academy of American Poets is the largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets. For over three generations, the Academy has connected millions of people to great poetry through programs such as Poets.org, the Academy’s popular website; National Poetry Month, the largest literary celebration in the world; American Poets, a biannual literary journal; and an annual series of poetry readings and special events. In addition, since its founding in 1934, the Academy has awarded more money to poets than any other organization. For more information, visit Poets.org.

The Academy of American Poets’ annual summer series is made possible in part by support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

About The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, identifies teenagers with exceptional creative talent and brings their remarkable work to a national audience through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Founded in 1923, the Awards program is the longest-running, most prestigious initiative of its kind, having fostered the creativity and talent of millions of students through recognition, exhibitions, and publications. Over the past six years alone, students have submitted more than a million works of art and writing and more than $30 million has been made available in scholarships and awards to top winning participants.

The Art.Write.Now.2014 National Exhibition features the top art and writing from teens across the United States, identified through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The Exhibition spans two locations and will showcase over 1,000 visual and literary works from students in grades 7 through 12.

About The Morgan Library & Museum
The Morgan Library & Museum began as the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan, one of the preeminent collectors and cultural benefactors in the United States. Today, more than a century after its founding in 1906, the Morgan serves as a museum, independent research library, musical venue, architectural landmark, and historic site. In October 2010, the Morgan completed the first-ever restoration of its original McKim building, Pierpont Morgan’s private library, and the core of the institution. In tandem with the 2006 expansion project by architect Renzo Piano, the Morgan now provides visitors unprecedented access to its world-renowned collections of drawings, literary and historical manuscripts, musical scores, medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, printed books, and ancient Near Eastern seals and tablets. 

About the New York City Poetry Festival
The New York City Poetry Festival showcases all of the different formats, aesthetics, and personalities of New York City poetry organizations, reading series, small presses, and collectives, in one place at one time. The festival intends to create branches between disparate poetry communities, and other artists and artisans, by bringing poetry out of the dark bars and universities and by placing it in the sun. The event features over 60 poetry organizations and 250 poets on its three main stages; a Vendor’s Village where local booksellers, artists and craft makers sell their wares; healthy and delicious food options; a beer garden sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery, poetry-inspired installation art throughout; the Ring of Daisies open mic; and the Children’s Poetry Festival.

About The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 91 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.