New York, NY (March 11, 2015) — On April 15, the Academy of American Poets will present Poetry & the Creative Mind, an awe-inspiring and entertaining evening at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. The event, which illuminates the significance of poetry in contemporary culture, will feature the following readers, who will perform poems by American poets of note:

Debra Winger, Academy Award-nominated actress
Vanessa Williams, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award nominee
Gloria Steinem, groundbreaking activist and writer
Julie Mehretu, award-winning visual artist
Anita Lo, chef and restaurateur
Kris Kristofferson, singer-songwriter
Chip Kidd, award-winning designer / Master of Ceremonies
Judith Jamison, Alvin Ailey Artist Director Emerita
Holly Hunter, Academy Award-winning actress
Ashley Gong, National Student Poet from Newtown, CT
Nick Cannon, television host and entertainer
Sam Beam, Iron & Wine singer-songwriter

Now in its 13th year, Poetry & the Creative Mind helps the Academy of American Poets promote the importance of our country’s rich poetic legacy. The event also raises critical funds for National Poetry Month—one of the organization’s signature arts-education programs. Funds raised at Poetry & the Creative Mind enable the Academy of American Poets to provide free access to educational resources on Poets.org, the world’s largest publicly-funded website for poets and poetry, and distribute over 120,000 complimentary National Poetry Month posters to schools, libraries, bookstores, and community centers each year. This year’s poster was designed by 2014 National Book Award finalist Roz Chast.

Poetry & the Creative Mind begins at 6:30 p.m. on April 15, 2015. Tickets range from $35-75 and are available through the Lincoln Center box office. For more information about Poetry & the Creative Mind and National Poetry Month, visit Poets.org.

About the Academy of American Poets

Founded in 1934, the Academy of American Poets is the largest member-supported nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets. In addition to National Poetry Month, the organization produces Poets.org, the American Poets Prizes, Poem-a-Day, and American Poets magazine, as well as poetry readings and special events throughout the year.