Our Mission

Twelve Literary Arts brings performance poetry to public spaces, while supporting poets and writers of all ages with youth programming, adult professional development, and brave spaces to dream, write, and teach into reality a world of social justice and equity.

Featured Video: Making "A Better Land" Twelve Literary Arts featured on WEWS NewsChannel 5

Canadian Poet Adebe DeRango-Adem and Writer/Curator Elizabeth de Souza chosen as TLA's International Barbara Smith Writers-in-Residence

Adebe DeRango-Adem

Elizabeth de Souza

Canadian Poet Adebe DeRango-Adem and Pittsburgh-based writer and curator Elizabeth de Souza have been named Twelve Literary Arts’ first International Barbara Smith Writers-in-Residence. DeRango-Adem and de Souza were selected from an international pool of poets and writers by a panel of five judges. The two writers will spend three months completing major literary works in progress. They will each be provided a $5,000 stipend, an apartment, and several opportunities to share their works-in-progress across Northeast Ohio. Visit our Barbara Smith Residency page to learn more.

Applications for the One Mic Open Youth After School Poetry Fellowship Open

The One Mic Open After School Youth Poetry Fellowship is the flagship youth education program of Twelve Literary Arts’. We accept 25 youth from schools across Northeast Ohio between the ages of 14-19 who are dedicated to using the written and spoken word to inspire democratic participation and change. Youth interested in applying to the fellowship can click here or visit our After School Fellowship page.

Apply NOW for Twelve Literary Arts'
Glenville Artist-in-Residence program

In partnership with The Cleveland Foundation and Famicos Foundation, Twelve Literary Arts is proud to announce its Glenville Artist-in-Residence Program. Two artists from all disciplines will be provided one bedroom apartments inside The Madison building in historic Glenville at a reduced rental rate. To apply and for more information visit us our Glenville Artist-in-Residence page.

The historic Madison Building in Glenville. 1464 E. 105th Street.
The Neighborhood: Heritage Lane across the street from The Madison.
The kitchen.
Open kitchen/living room floor plan.
Bathroom.
Bedroom.

The historic Madison Building in Glenville. 1464 E. 105th Street.

TLA Youth Feature: A'Diva Warren

When A'Diva Warren first became a youth fellow in TLA's One Mic Open After School Fellowship, she was a shy, quiet junior attending Villa Angela Saint Joseph High School. Today, she is a Northeast Ohio poetry slam champion, recipient of TLA's Visible Voice Scholarship in the amount of $40,000 over four years, and a future leader for Northeast Ohio. View her story below.