Bite-Sized Learning

Inspiring the Next Generation of Writers, Virtually

During this session, we’ll explore how the American Writer’s Museum (AWM) in Chicago is engaging teachers and students virtually to foster conversations about complex issues and encourage the next generation of writers via their new Online Education Program.

The museum’s president, Carey Cranston, will discuss how the Online Education Program was developed with input from teachers. He’ll also share real feedback received from both students and teachers across the country who have participated in the program, and how the museum has pivoted their approach during the pandemic.

While many cultural institutions are offering virtual programming, what makes AWM’s program unique is that not only is AWM the only national museum dedicated to American writers and their works, but also their field trips focus on immigrant, refugee and other diverse writers and explore social issues.

Presenter: Carey Cranston

Carey took on the role of President of the American Writers Museum in Chicago in September of 2016. Prior to that Carey had been serving for 12 years as President of Fox College, a private career college in Chicago, and prior to that he was a Vice President at Hill & Knowlton, a global PR firm, where he led digital and web services with several major clients. He also served as Director of Technology and E-commerce at Kemper Lesnik Communications, a local PR firm in Chicago. Early in his career, Carey taught writing at UIC and DePaul and worked at both the DePaul University Library and at Kroch’s & Brentano’s Bookstore. Carey earned a B.A. in English from DePaul University summa cum laude, a M.A in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a M.S. in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Illinois in Champaign Urbana.