American Poetry Museum
Our Mission
The American Poetry Museum is dedicated to celebrating poetry, promoting literacy, fostering meaningful dialogue, encouraging an appreciation for the diversity of the American experience, and educating local, national, and international audiences through the presentation, preservation and interpretation of American poetry.
Founded in 2004, APM is one of the first museums in the world dedicated to collecting, interpreting and presenting American poetry. We are committed to the continuation of poetry as a literary and performance art and the use of poetry as an active tool for education.
The Anacostia Gallery
A Museum for the Community
The American Poetry Museum goes beyond traditional museum functions to provides a place for communities to gather and participate in meaningful dialogue on issues that are of interest and importance to their lives. This new approach to museum programming emphasizes active learning and engagement rather than passive reflection.
APM addresses three fundamental issues:
- The downward trend in book consumption by Americans, especially poetry;
- The need for museums to be centers of active learning and civic engagement;
- The encouragement and appreciation of the diversity of the American experience;
