Debuts Fresh Showcase and Cultural Initiative: "American Visionaries: Literature, Faith, and Society"
The American Writers Museum in Chicago has announced a new special exhibit and programming series, titled "American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture." Funded by a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the exhibit is set to open in November 2025 and will delve into the profound influence of religion on American literature.
The exhibit aims to invite visitors on a journey through the pages of American history, shedding light on the intricate relationship between writing, religious practices, and cultural understanding. This immersive exhibit will feature rare artifacts, interactive displays, and creative works from various genres, including literature, film, music, comedy, and more.
Visitors can expect to discover the role of storytelling in examining belief systems, shaping personal identity, and illuminating the ever-evolving relationship between religion and American culture. Unique objects of religious significance to writers, such as Flannery O'Connor's rosary and Samira Ahmed's amulet, will also be on display.
The content of the American Prophets exhibit will span numerous religions and faiths, including but not limited to Agnosticism, Atheism, Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Humanism, Indigenous spiritualities, Islam, Judaism, Scientology, and Taoism. Further details on the authors and works featured in the exhibit will be unveiled later this year.
AWM kicked off its programming for American Prophets with the free event, "Making New Gods," in partnership with the Chicago Public Library on April 22. Notable fiction authors like N.K. Jemisin, Nnedi Okorafor, Nghi Vo, and Matthew Kirby shared their thoughts on exploring religious beliefs within their speculative fiction and the impact of faith on their writing.
In addition to the aforementioned public events, the exhibit will offer a wide range of programming, such as author discussions, field trip curricula for students, podcasts, and online content. For more information, stay updated on the American Writers Museum's official website.
AWM's American Prophets initiative also includes a touring version of the special exhibit "Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice." This exhibit premiered at the museum in 2022 and draws inspiration from a poem by Pauli Murray, a multiracial Black human rights activist and writer. Currently on display at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, the exhibit showcases powerful stories from the end of the Civil War through the Civil Rights era.
AWM, the first museum of its kind in the United States, is located at 180 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601. It offers permanent exhibits, special galleries, and experiences for visitors of all ages. For more information, visit the American Writers Museum's website or call 312-374-8790.
[1] American Writers Museum's Official Website: https://americanwritersmuseum.org/[2] Lilly Endowment Inc. Official Website: https://www.lillyendowment.org/[3] Pauli Murray: Biography, Career, and List of Works: https://www.biography.com/writer/pauli-murray[4] AWM's "American Prophets" Initiative Includes Programming Events: https://americanwritersmuseum.org/news/awms-american-prophets-initiative-includes-programming-events/[5] Press Release: American Writers Museum Unveils New Exhibit and Programming Series, "American Prophets": https://americanwritersmuseum.org/press-release-american-writers-museum-unveils-new-exhibit-and-programming-series-american-prophets-supported-by-a-generous-grant-from-lilly-endowment-inc/
The American Writers Museum's upcoming exhibit, "American Prophets," will delve into the influence of religion on American literature and extend to various genres beyond literature, such as film, music, comedy, and books. This immersive exhibit, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., aims to illuminate the intersection of religious practices, cultural understanding, and personal identity.
AWM's American Prophets initiative also includes a touring version of the exhibit, "Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice," which showcases powerful stories from various religions and faiths, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Indigenous spiritualities, and more.
The American Writers Museum offers a range of programming to complement its special exhibits, such as author discussions, field trip curricula for students, podcasts, and online content. Interested individuals can find more information on the museum's official website.
