We have plenty of events and exhibits that are some of the top things to do in Chicago this month. Celebrate American writing with us!
Happy New Year from the AWM! There’s something for everyone this month, from special tours to movie nights to author talks, and more. Plan your visit today!
Check out what we have lined up in January and subscribe to our e-newsletter below to stay up-to-date on all that’s happening. Also, AWM members get free admission to the AWM and most programs, so if you’re not already a member, become a member today!
1. Film Screening: The Last Starfighter (January 12, 3:00 pm CT)
Prepare to be whisked away to the worlds of games! Stories are the heart and soul of any good game, and the Level Up Film Series honors that tradition as seen in filmmaking. Inspired by our special exhibit Level Up: Writers & Gamers, these films celebrate the art of storytelling in games and illustrative the immersive nature of playing them.
Next up, we head back to the ’80s with The Last Starfighter. A video-game wiz is recruited by a fast-talking alien to battle an evil extraterrestrial. Tickets are just $5 for adults and free for children, and grant you access to all our exhibits. Regular admission price for adults is $16. So, get your tickets here!
2. Free Museum Admission Day (January 19, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm CT)
Enjoy free admission to the American Writers Museum! Free days include access to all of our exhibits, including our current special exhibit Level Up: Writers and Gamers. No prior registration is required. Just visit the AWM on Sunday, January 19 and you can explore all that we have to offer at no cost to you!
Free admission to the American Writers Museum is available on the third Sunday of each month. Plan your visit here.
3. Lunch with Dorothy Parker! (January 21, 12:00 pm CT)
Join us online for an afternoon conversation with Gail Crowther, author of the new book Dorothy Parker in Hollywood. The glamorous extravagances and devasting lows of her time in Hollywood are revealed as never before in this fresh new biography of Dorothy Parker—from leaving New York City to work on numerous classic screenplays such as the 1937 A Star Is Born to the devastation of alcoholism, a miscarriage, and her husband’s suicide. Parker’s involvement with anti-fascist and anti-racist groups, which led to her ultimate blacklisting, and her early work in the civil rights movement that inspired her to leave her entire estate to the NAACP are also explored as never before. Just as she did with her “deliriously fast-paced and erudite” (Library Journal) dual biography of Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath, Gail Crowther brings Parker back to life on the page in all her wit, grit, and brilliance.
This is an online-only program presented by the American Writers Museum. To tune in live to this program, register for the link to the online broadcast here.
4. Level Up: Writers & Gamers (Daily)
If you haven’t already, now is a great chance to explore our special temporary exhibit Level Up: Writers & Gamers, on display now. Embark on a thrilling adventure into the world of game writing and explore the role of narrative and storytelling in gaming, from the 1970s to today. Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of fantasy tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, Level Up enriches your understanding of writing through fun and interactive formats, inspires young people to try a new form of writing, and encourages exploration of the worlds created through games.
Level Up is included with museum admission and is available to explore daily when the American Writers Museum is open. We are open Thursday through Monday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. We are closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Plan your visit today!
5. Writing and Reading Inspiration
If you’re anything like the staff members of the AWM, one of your New Year’s resolutions is probably to write and/or read more…and our exhibits are the perfect way to find inspiration for both! Dive into the Mind of a Writer Gallery for insights into how your favorite writers think, such as the daily routines and habits necessary to get the work done. Explore how writers understand and play around with language to make the writing sing, and take a turn writing something yourself on one of our many vintage typewriters. You can also sit back and relax on a comfy chair with a book from our shelves in Readers Hall, which includes interpretive exhibits celebrating the critical role of the reader in American literature, both now and in the past. Get a glimpse of what everyday Americans were reading throughout history, and vote for your favorite books and authors.
Our in-museum gift shop is also full of reading material (and tote bags!) for you to bring home with you. From books on writing to classics you love to books related to our exhibits, you’re sure to find the next book to add to your To Be Read pile. Stay ahead of your reading and writing goals for 2025 with a trip to the American Writers Museum!