Elk River Arts & Lectures

Elk River Arts & Lectures (ERAL) cultivates and celebrates the literary arts in Park County with programs for people of all ages. Through our lecture series, storytelling nights, and poetry and writing workshops, we work to enrich the lives of our entire community by encouraging creativity, introducing new ideas and connections. We understand that these are challenging times. At Elk River Arts & lectures, we believe that investing in the things that bring people together is more important than ever, and that celebrating diverse ideas and spurring dialogue will strengthen our community. Supporting ERAL is supporting a stronger Park County!

Since its founding in 2013, Elk River Arts & Lectures (ERAL) has brought people together from all walks of life to cultivate and celebrate the literary arts in Park County. Our flagship Arts and Lecture Series features a diverse array of world-class authors such as Richard Powers, Sarah Vowell, Pam Houston, Stephanie Land, and Chris La Tray whose engaging lectures, thoughtful discussion, and inspiring stories are shared in free public lectures. Many of these authors join with students in classrooms across Park County to share their work with a younger audience.

In addition, ERAL collaborates with schools, literary organizations, and other nonprofits to enrich our community through a diverse array of literary programming, engaging many of the local writers and other creatives who give our community its unique character. We offer Storytelling Nights, Senior Writing Workshops, Teen Writing Workshops, and a host of other activities throughout the year.

As always, all of Elk River Arts & Lectures literary arts programming is free and open to the public -- creating a space for dialogue, fostering connection, and building community.

Testimonials

"I have rarely enjoyed doing a public event more than I enjoyed reading for ERAL. Livingston supplied a circle of fascinating and accomplished artists, a keen and appreciative audience, and oh - that view! Something very special is going on just north of Yellowstone, and I was grateful for the chance to experience it."
--Pulitzer-winning novelist Richard Powers (April 2022 Lecture)

"Elk River's Arts & Lectures' Lecture Series provides such informed and diverse voices to our conversations about life and literature. What a rare and incredible opportunity for our students!"
--Park High English teacher Kelly Dick (following author Mona Susan Power's 2024 visit)