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City of Asylum

City of Asylum

Giving Voice.

  • About Us
    • History
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Employment
    • Volunteering
    • Directions
    • Contact
  • Programs
    • Upcoming Programs
    • Pittsburgh International Literary Festival
    • Virtual Program Archive
    • COVID-19 Guidelines for City of Asylum @ Alphabet City
    • Directions
  • Residencies
  • Creative Placemaking
    • City of Asylum House Publications
    • Alphabet City
    • The Alphabet Reading Garden
    • River of Words
    • Digital Sanctuaries
    • Pittsburgh Northside Community Resources
  • Special Projects
    • Poet Laureate
    • Sampsonia Way Magazine
    • City of Asylum Book Publications
    • Pittsburgh Live/Ability: Encounters in Poetry & Prose
  • Visit Us
    • City of Asylum Bookstore
    • 40 North Restaurant
    • Directions
    • Transportation
  • Donate

Welcome to City of Asylum!

Our Mission

City of Asylum builds a just community by protecting and celebrating freedom of creative expression.

Protecting Freedom of Creative Expression

City of Asylum hosts the largest residency program in the world for writers living in exile under threat of persecution. Learn more…

Celebrating Freedom of Creative Expression

We celebrate Freedom of Expression through our programs and public art projects. Learn more…

Alphabet City

Alphabet City is our permanent home for programs on Pittsburgh’s Northside. Drop by to buy a book at the City of Asylum Bookstore, stay for dinner at our restaurant partner 40 North, and check out a reading, concert, or film on the Alphabet City stage.

Programs at Alphabet City

We host 3-4 free readings, concerts, or films most weeks.

Explore our upcoming events

City of Asylum Bookstore

From world literature in translation, to bestsellers and children’s books, our bookstore has something for everyone. Stop by to visit in-person, or browse our selection online.

Browse our book selection

40 North Restaurant

Enjoy dinner at our Restaurant partner 40 North. Grab a happy hour drink after work, or a beer to enjoy during a concert.

Check out the 40 North menu

Upcoming Events

Free Association Reading Series: Clare Beams, Jim Daniels, Lisa Slage Robinson, & Damian Dressick
Sun, Feb 5 @ 3:30 pm

Free Association Reading Series: Clare Beams, Jim Daniels, Lisa Slage Robinson, & Damian Dressick

Music in the Face of Malice with the Clarion Quartet
Mon, Feb 6 @ 7:00 pm

Music in the Face of Malice with the Clarion Quartet

City of ASL: Performing Off the Page with Lisa McBee, Mj Shahen, KJ Johnstein, & Kathleen Betz
Tue, Feb 7 @ 7:00 pm

City of ASL: Performing Off the Page with Lisa McBee, Mj Shahen, KJ Johnstein, & Kathleen Betz

You can see our full calendar of upcoming events here.

Stay in Touch

Want to follow news about the Exiled Writer and Artist Residency Program at City of Asylum? Sign up for our email list to receive news updates, information about our upcoming programs, and more!

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About City of Asylum
City of Asylum builds a just community by protecting and celebrating freedom of creative expression.
Contact City of Asylum
City of Asylum
40 W. North Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Phone: 412-435-1110
Email: contact@cityofasylumpittsburgh.org
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