On April 15, 2015, the Academy of American Poets presented its thirteenth annual Poetry & the Creative Mind celebratory reading at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.
The evening began with a reading from Ashley Gong, a participant in the National Student Poets program, and included musical performances from Sam Beam of Iron and Wine, and Kris Kristofferson.
Special guest readers included:
| Sam Beam | Julie Mehretu |
| Nick Cannon | Gloria Steinem |
| Holly Hunter | Vanessa Williams |
| Judith Jamison | Debra Winger |
| Kris Kirstofferson | |
| Anita Lo |
... with master of ceremonies Chip Kidd