From our base in Las Vegas, Nevada—a unique, vital, and surprising city for creativity and the arts—our programs serve both local and international audiences. The question that guides all aspects of our work is how writers and their honest, artful expression can galvanize community, support open societies, and facilitate creative approaches to the most vexing problems of our time.

From our home at  UNLV—and with partners throughout Southern Nevada and around the world—BMI facilitates intersections between local talent, emerging and distinguished writers, and artists from around the world. Through all aspects of our work, the institute strives to serve and support the work of underrepresented voices. Literary activism and our commitment to equity and inclusion are intrinsic, stemming in part from where we do our work, on the most diverse campus in the country (U.S. News and World Report). BMI’s programs often radiate around the world through its innovative publications and translations to media. Our core partners include the Writer’s Block and the International Cities of Refuge Network.