The Art(s) of Writing: Intersections of Art, Literature, and Translation in Creative Practice

A First-Year Ampersand Program

A two-semester, hands-on journey into literature and the arts, where students collaborate with local artists, explore the St. Louis creative scene, and publish an original anthology of their own work.

This two-semester interdisciplinary Ampersand Program invites first-year students into the vibrant worlds of art, literature, poetry, translation, theatre, and music. Rooted in experiential learning and community engagement, the program aims to cultivate students as practitioners of literature, connecting classroom exploration with the local artistic and cultural scene. The program will feature collaborations with local artists, creative field trips, and culminate in a beautifully crafted anthology of texts created by students, celebrating their journey as emerging writers, translators and artists.

How to Sign Up

Signing up for a First-Year Program is a structured process designed to help match you with a program that best fits your interests. Ampersand Programs require a short essay responding to a program-specific prompt.

If you plan to rank this Ampersand Program, prepare a 250-500 word essay that responds to the following prompt: Describe an encounter with a work of art that inspired or changed you. This could be a work of visual art, literature, music, dance, architecture, or another art form. Rather than offering a critical analysis, focus on the experience of the encounter itself. Who were you at that moment in your life, and what impact did this work have on you? Use vivid detail and precise language to bring the moment to life and let your unique voice come through.

Learn More About Sign-Ups

Ampersand Program Courses

Semester 1: Exploring Art and Text 

Introduction to poetic forms, translation practices, and art-based writing. Workshops on theatre script development, libretto writing, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Field trips to Cahokia and local museums, with ekphrastic writing assignments inspired by visual artworks. Collaboration with artist and photographer Michael Eastman through photo-poetry projects and/or dialogues. Guest sessions with local artists, poets, and theatre practitioners.

Semester 2: Practicing and Creating

Students produce original texts—poetry, translations, libretto drafts, or essays—integrating visual and theatrical elements. Collaborative projects with local artists and performers, including rehearsals or performance workshops. Field visits, including a focused on site-specific writing or performances at Cahokia or cultural institutions. Engagement with theatre director Philip Boehm for a workshop on dramaturgy and performance. Final project: a curated anthology, artist’s book, or multimedia portfolio produced collaboratively, culminating in a public reading or performance.

Ampersand Program Faculty

Matthias Goeritz

Matthias Goeritz

Professor of Practice of Comparative Literature


314-935-7613

Matthias Göritz is an internationally recognized German poet, novelist and translator. He has been the recipient of the Hamburg Literary Prize, the Mara Cassens Prize, the Robert Gernhardt Prize, the William Gass Prize and the International Pretnar Award.

David Schuman

David Schuman

Director of Creative Writing


314-935-7130

David Schuman currently directs the MFA program and coordinates the creative writing concentration for undergraduate English majors.

Explore All Ampersand Programs

Explore All Ampersand Programs