SoLit

Mission: To deliver literary arts experiences that engage young people and adults in a life-long love of reading, writing and community conversation.

Founded in 1952, SoLit, formerly known as Southern Lit Alliance, has become an essential literary arts hub for Chattanooga. Begun by a grant from the Ford Foundation in 1952, the organization has evolved over the years from various art programs to a focus on literature and writing.

The benefits of reading literature and writing are far-reaching and include improved critical thinking skills, empathy for others, vocabulary, writing ability, imagination, and cultural literacy. Literary arts are vital to our community and have the incomparable power to inspire, connect, and uplift Solit is reaching the community with the impact of the literary arts.

We deliver literary arts experiences that engage young people and adults in a life-long love of reading, writing, and community conversation. SoLit’s programs engage youth and adults in a life-long love of reading, writing, and community conversation. We provide literature festivals, author visits, writing workshops, writing contests for children, plays based on a children’s book, and literary outreach to carceral facilities and underserved communities.