Michener Center for Writers
The Michener Center for Writers is an interdisciplinary Masters of Fine Arts program in fiction, poetry, playwriting, and screenwriting at the University of Texas at Austin. It is widely regarded as one of the top creative writing programs in the world. Bret Anthony Johnston is the current director of the program. Previously, James Magnuson ran the program for more than 20 years. Resident faculty include Elizabeth McCracken, Edward Carey and Amy Hempel. History. The program was founded in the early 1990s through a generous endowment from James A. Michener and Mari Sabusawa Michener. It was originally  called the Texas Center for Writers, but changed its name to honor Mr. Michener after his death in 1997. Fellowships. The MFA in Writing is a three-year, full-time residency program, unique in its interdisciplinary focus. While writers apply and are admitted in a primary field of concentration—chosen from fiction, poetry, playwriting or screenwriting—they have the opportunity to develop work in a second field during their program of study. The program operates through competitive entry and offers a generous fellowship that includes tuition, a stipend, and other fees. Classes are taught by faculty from the Departments of  English, Radio Television and Film, and Theatre & Dance, and the program also hosts visiting faculty of nationally recognized writers, who often participate in a public Reading Series. Fellows are eligible to submit to the Keene Prize for Literature. Winners receive $50,000 and three runners-up receive $20,000.